Willie Colón, trombonist who pioneered salsa music, dies aged 75

His career spanned 60 years and dozens of albums and had been named among the most influential Latino artists of all time.

Willie Colón, a pioneering figure in urban salsa music, passed away at age 75 on February 21, 2026. A renowned trombonist, composer, arranger, and singer, Colón released over 40 albums, selling more than 30 million copies globally. He is especially remembered for his groundbreaking collaboration with Rubén Blades on the album 'Siembra', known for blending salsa with social commentary.

Willie Colón, the pioneering trombonist, vocalist, and composer, died on Saturday aged 75, his family has said. With more than 30 million albums sold, multiple platinum records, and 11 combined Grammy and Latin Grammy nominations, Colón is among the most successful salsa artists of all time. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Willie Colón, a legendary trombonist and pioneer of salsa music, has died. He was 75. His death on Saturday was confirmed in a Facebook post by his longtime manager, Pietro Carlos. News of the singer’s condition circulated on the web in recent days. Yonkers Voice News reported Colón was admitted to NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester hospital in Bronxville, N.Y., on Tuesday with respiratory problems and he appeared fragile.

Iconic Nuyorican salsa musician and activist Willie Colón has died age 75, according to a post from his family on his Facebook page. 'It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and renowned musician,' an image uploaded late Saturday morning read. 'He passed away peacefully this morning, surrounded by his loving family. While we grieve his absence, we also rejoice in the timeless gift of his music and the cherished memories he created that will live on forever,' Colón's family said.

Willie Colón, one of the most celebrated and influential figures in Latin music history, died Saturday at the age of 75. His death was confirmed by his longtime manager, Pietro Carlos, in a Facebook post Saturday. No cause of death has been publicly disclosed. Born William Anthony Colón Román in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, Colón was raised by his grandmother and aunt, who introduced him to traditional Caribbean and Latin American music from an early age. He picked up a trumpet at 11 — a gift from his grandmother — and gravitated quickly toward the trombone, which became his signature instrument. Billboard reports that Colón was signed to Fania Records at just 15 years old, with label founders Johnny Pacheco and Jerry Masucci recognizing his potential and putting him to work producing his own albums as well as those of other artists. According to Billboard, there is perhaps no other musician from the fabled Fania empire who so epitomized the salsa sound that propelled Latin music in the 1970s. Colón was a quadruple threat — writing, arranging, producing and performing his music with unmatched creative vision. Pietro Carlos, Colón's manager, via Facebook: "Willie didn't just change salsa; he expanded it, politicized it, clothed it in urban chronicles, and took it to stages where it hadn't been heard before. His trombone was the voice of the people, an echo of the Caribbean in New York, a bridge between two cultures." Rubén Blades, longtime collaborator, via X: "I have just confirmed what I resisted believing: Willie Colón has indeed passed away. To his wife Julia, his children, family, and loved ones, I send my heartfelt condolences. Later on and with calm, I will write about Willie and his vital and important musical legacy." Bruce McIntosh, VP of Latin Catalog at Craft Recordings, per Billboard: "Willie was much more than an iconic artist; he was a true visionary that forged a new genre of Latin music that we all love today called Salsa. His legacy is etched into the very soul of Latin culture. He will forever be 'El Maestro'." Rauw Alejandro, via Instagram: "Your art inspired me and guided me. It taught me that culture can be modern, that creativity has no limits, that what's popular can be sophisticated and that music, when made from a place of truth, lasts forever." Funeral arrangements have not yet been publicly announced. Colón is survived by his wife and four sons.

Willie Colón, one of the most celebrated and influential figures in Latin music history, died Saturday at the age of 75. His death was confirmed by his longtime manager, Pietro Carlos, in a Facebook post Saturday. No cause of death has been publicly disclosed. Born William Anthony Colón Román in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, Colón was raised by his grandmother and aunt, who introduced him to traditional Caribbean and Latin American music from an early age. He picked up a trumpet at 11 — a gift from his grandmother — and gravitated quickly toward the trombone, which became his signature instrument. Billboard reports that Colón was signed to Fania Records at just 15 years old, with label founders Johnny Pacheco and Jerry Masucci recognizing his potential and putting him to work producing his own albums as well as those of other artists. His mother, a high school graduate, served as his business representative when he signed his first deal for $500. His celebrated collaboration with Rubén Blades, Siembra, released in 1978, remains the biggest-selling salsa album of all time, according to Billboard. It was Colón who first introduced Blades to the world on the 1977 album Metiendo Mano, which launched what would become known as socially conscious salsa — music whose message extended beyond the dance floor. Among his other landmark works are "Ché Ché Colé" and "Aguanile," recorded with Héctor Lavoe, and the album Celia and Willie alongside Celia Cruz. His influence has spanned generations. Billboard notes that Rauw Alejandro's acclaimed 2024 album Cosa Nuestra was directly inspired by Colón's 1970 album of the same name. Colón was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame in 2000, received a lifetime achievement award from the Latin Recording Academy in 2004, and was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019. According to Billboard, there is perhaps no other musician from the fabled Fania empire who so epitomized the salsa sound that propelled Latin music in the 1970s. Colón was a quadruple threat — writing, arranging, producing and performing his music with unmatched creative vision.

Willie Colón, the prominent salsa singer and musician, has died aged 75. Colón’s family announced his death Saturday with a tribute on Facebook. “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and renowned musician, Willie Colón. He passed away peacefully this morning surrounded by his beloved family,” the statement underneath an image of the singer read in both Spanish and English. “While we grieve his absence, we also rejoice in the timeless gift of his music and the cherished memories he created that will live on forever.” The statement concluded: “Our family is deeply grateful for your prayers and support during this time of mourning. We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate our grief.” The details of his funeral have not yet been finalized or revealed. While Colón’s cause of death is not yet known, reports claimed he was hospitalized Friday in New York for respiratory concerns. Colón, born William Anthony Colón Román, largely embraced his Puerto Rican heritage throughout his life in the South Bronx in New York City. Growing up, he learned Spanish from his grandmother, Antonia (Toña). In 1967, when he was 16, he recorded his first album, El Malo, with Puerto Rican salsa singer Héctor Lavoe. The duo was signed with Fania Records, the legendary label that became synonymous with the birth of salsa. Colón then took a risk with his career in 1976 as he decided to produce a ballet called El baquiné de los angelitos negros, incorporating his instrumental education by playing the flute, trumpet and bugle. He eventually broke away from his association with Lavoe, launching his solo career with the albums The Good, Bad and The Ugly in 1976 and Solo in 1988. His career spanned decades as he collaborated with many other future salsa-greats, including Celia Cruz, Ismael Miranda and the Fania All-Stars. Colón constantly reinvented his music, which stayed relevant with fans old and new. The singer’s discography features over 40 albums, earning him nine Gold Records and five Platinum Records. Beyond the recording studio, Colón was also an activist, involving himself in political causes in New York City, even going as far as his endorsement being coveted by local politicians. He is survived by his wife, Julia Colón Craig, and their four sons: Willie Jr., Diego, Miguel, and Antonio.

Willie Colón, a pioneering figure in urban salsa music, passed away at age 75 on February 21, 2026. A renowned trombonist, composer, arranger, and singer, Colón released over 40 albums, selling more than 30 million copies globally. He is especially remembered for his groundbreaking collaboration with Rubén Blades on the album 'Siembra', known for blending salsa with social commentary.

Willie Colón, a trombonist, bandleader, composer, and key architect of salsa music, has died. His family confirmed the news via social media on February 21; although they did not share a cause of death, they wrote that Colón 'passed away peacefully' surrounded by loved ones. Colón was 75. Born in 1950 in The Bronx, Colón was raised by his Puerto Rican grandmother, who introduced him early on to an array of Latin sounds, from Cuban son to guaracha to jíbaro to tango.

Willie Colón, the Grammy-nominated architect of urban salsa music and social activist, died Saturday. He was 75. Over his decades-long career, the trombonist, composer, arranger, and singer produced more than 40 albums that sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. He collaborated with a wide range of artists, including the Fania All Stars, David Byrne, and Celia Cruz. His celebrated collaboration with Rubén Blades, 'Siembra,' became one of the bestselling salsa albums of all time, and the pair were known for addressing social issues through the genre.

Willie Colón, the Grammy-nominated architect of urban salsa music and social activist, died Saturday. He was 75. Over his decades-long career, the trombonist, composer, arranger, and singer produced more than 40 albums that sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. He collaborated with a wide range of artists, including the Fania All Stars, David Byrne, and Celia Cruz. His celebrated collaboration with Rubén Blades, 'Siembra,' became one of the bestselling salsa albums of all time, and the pair were known for addressing social issues through the genre.