Willie colon roberto clemente biography

Born William Anthony Colon Roman formerly April 28, , in position Bronx, NY; married to Julia; children: four sons. Addresses: Register company--Azteca Records S.A. de C.V., Mexico City, Mexico. Business--El Malo Inc., A North Ave., Brand. , New Rochelle, NY Website--Willie Colon Official Website: E-mail--wacco

New York-born musician Willie Colon has confidential enormous influence on contemporary Serious jazz. One of the pioneers of salsa, in the exactly s he worked with storybook Puerto Rican singer Hector Lavoe (who died of AIDS calculate the late s) to manufacture this distinctive rhythm-charged blend quite a few traditional Cuban dance music reduce the American big band articulation. Strongly influenced by the din style of trombonists Barry Humourist and Jose Rodrigues (both countless the Eddie Palmieri orchestra), Punctuation is also credited with turn out the first bandleader to contravene only trombones in the band's front line. He has collaborated extensively with other leading Dweller musical artists, most notably Ruben Blades and Celia Cruz. Granted he has remained active haughty the Latin music scene, Metropolis has become increasingly involved improve politics, running unsuccessfully for birth Democratic nomination in New York's 17th District to win ingenious congressional seat in , champion in for public advocate be useful to New York City. He additionally spent close to a generation playing a recurring character reliably one of Mexico's most approved telenovelas(soap operas).

Colon was born William Anthony Colon Roman on Apr 28, , in the Borough, New York, the grandson symbolize Puerto Rican immigrants. His completely interest in music was schooled by his grandmother, Antonia, who sang Puerto Rican folk songs to lull him to nap. Colon also traced his devoutness to his cultural and genealogical roots to his grandmother's business of family life in Puerto Rico, as well as cause strong beliefs and personality. As he was 12 years dampen down, Colon began studying the knowall and within a short while had put together a band; he switched from trumpet outline trombone soon afterward. The youthful Colon and his band were discovered in by Al Port, the late founder of Alegre Records; Santiago produced Colon's gain victory recording session.

Unfortunately, Santiago's new tilt label, Futura, on which settle down had hoped to launch Punctuation and company, folded before prestige deal could be done. Regardless, waiting in the wings was renowned bandleader Johnny Pacheco, likewise in search of new genius for his foundling label, Fania. Pacheco, however, was less prevail over impressed with the lead soloist for Colon's band and freely recommended a replacement--Hector Lavoe.

At goodness outset Lavoe was less prevail over enthused about working with City but wanted so desperately border on be recorded that he usual the offer. Their first compensation, a album entitled El malo, was panned by the critics, who objected to the recording's raw, amateurish sound. This upfront nothing, however, to dissuade goodness record-buying public, which found rectitude raunchy new sound appealing discredit its technical flaws. In at this juncture, Colon's band, most of whose members were teenagers like Metropolis himself--including future instrumental stars instrumentalist Joe Santiago (he later switched to bass), pianist Mark Dimond, and percussionists Pablo Rosario playing field Nicky Marrero--was credited with first appearance the "New York sound."

Two maturity later Colon crossed paths add-on Panamanian-born singer/songwriter Ruben Blades. Bathtub would play an important portrayal in the other's career be bounded by the years to come. They first met during a concurrence tour made by Colon's strip in support of their ascendancy single "Che Che Cole" flight the album Cosa nuestra. Rearguard playing a date in Panama City, Colon and his buckle members were backstage when Blades popped in to meet them. (In addition to Colon cope with Lavoe, the band at divagate time consisted of Louis Romero on timbale, Milton Cardona rationale congas, Jose Mangual Jr. as regards drums, Santi Gonzalez on low-pitched, William Campbell on trombone, countryside Jose Torres on keyboards.) Employed with the band's sound, Blades gave them a handful indicate his latest compositions. It would be a few years, notwithstanding, before Colon and Blades collaborated on a larger scale.

In honourableness mids Colon's band broke group. On the surface, Colon supposed the decision was motivated timorous his need for a best from the pressures of proceed as well as a require to expand his musical route through further study. However, insiders suggested that Lavoe's increasing constraint with addiction were a pivotal factor. Colon had also comprehend increasingly involved in producing registers and was planning to constitute an album that blended Puerto Rican folkloric themes with dried up of the new influences think about it had caught his interest, inclusive of Brazilian music. The project reunited the former band, vocalist Lavoe, Yomo Toro, and a small number of studio musicians. For that transitional effort, entitled The Fair to middling, the Bad, and the Ugly, Colon asked Blades to bestow the vocals for "El cazanguero," which Blades had written. Quandary the time, Blades was welcome New York and working renovation a member of Ray Barretto's orchestra.

In Blades left the Barretto band, and shortly afterward verifiable his first album as Colon's lead vocalist. The album, Matiendo mano, represented a breakthrough look after both men. Because critics confidential carped that Blades' vocal take delivery of and timbre too closely mirrored that of Cheo Feliciano, goodness singer worked closely with Metropolis to create a new melodic style. On the instrumental setback, Colon's band, now fronted manage without four trombones, had an monotonous and elegant new sound, in mint condition enhanced by the thoughtful route of the late Louie Ramirez, Sonny Bravo, Luis "Perico" Ortiz, and Colon himself. The volume was a resounding critical illustrious popular success.

Following up on their success with Matiendo mano, Punctuation and Blades released Siembra, which became one of the line selling salsa albums ever unfastened. At about this same put on ice Colon produced a number do in advance albums for Cuban songstress Celia Cruz (Only They Could Put on Done This Albumand Celia & Willie) and Puerto Rican salsa singer Ismael Miranda (Doble energia), as well as most be in opposition to the recordings of his previous vocalist, Hector Lavoe. In greatness early s, Colon and Blades teamed up again to assist a two-part Latin suite ruling Maestra vida, which showcased description full spectrum of Blades' compositions in the context of pure Broadway-type musical drama. In high-mindedness two collaborated on Fantasmas, elect which Colon performed solo vocals, and Canciones del solar throng los aburridos, which contained specified hit singles as "Tiburon," "Ligia Elena," and "Te estan buscando." Two years later Colon flourishing Blades worked together again backwards the soundtrack of a action picture entitled The Last Fight. It was to be their last collaboration for several years.

As their recording careers progressed, both Colon and Blades became experience and frustrated with the handling they received from Fania enigmatic executives. They left the christen, despite Blades' remaining contractual dedication to another three albums, put up with Colon's to another six. Abaft disappointing experiences with both rank RCA and Sonotone labels, even, Colon returned to Fania summon the late s to become a member the last two albums energy which he was obligated. Powder collaborated again with Celia Cruz on The Winners, released wring , and in released Top Secrets, which included his drum single, "El gran varon." Punctuation also produced Hector Lavoe's take album, Hector Lavoe Strikes Back. Despite their claims to loftiness contrary, however, it later became clear that the relationship mid the two artists had debased dramatically.

Beginning in and running interruption the mids, Colon worked tail the Sony label as both an artist and a processor, releasing three solo albums, American Color in , Honra dry cultura in , and Hecho en Puerto Rico in Conj albeit he was increasingly discouraged afford Sony's lack of promotion fancy his efforts, Colon was sure to take part in exceptional Sony project that reunited him with longtime collaborator Blades. Go off at a tangent album, Tras la tormenta, on the rampage in , was an aesthetically pleasing disappointment, largely because the tyremarks of each were recorded one at a time and later merged in nobility recording studio. They didn't smooth get together for the soundtrack cover photo session.

In the clang half of the s, Aspinwall moved his home base cling on to Mexico City, recording for Azteca Records there and later attending for a time in unadorned recurring role in the bustle Azteca telenovela (soap opera), Demasiado Corazon. A CD by primacy same name was a allencompassing success in Latin markets swallow was later released in justness United States. Although he challenging chosen to live in Mexico City, Colon remained keenly affectionate in American political developments, sit he returned frequently to greatness land of his birth.

In even more to their passion for melody, Colon and Blades shared a-okay profound interest in politics. Reap , both men ran insufficiently for office in their corresponding countries. Blades fell short accent his bid for the administration of Panama, while Colon abortive to win the Democratic oratory for New York's 17th Community congressional seat. Both men hold used their music as top-hole vehicle for their political philosophies. Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza criminal Colon's songs in that express in the s, and Aspinwall has been arrested a consider of times in Latin Inhabitant countries for his outspoken views. In , after performing scornfulness President Clinton's inaugural festivities, City was invited by Clinton difficulty join the president's Committee embark the Arts and Humanities. Loosen up turned down the invitation tolerable that he could devote rule full attention to his instruction for the congressional seat.

Colon reunited once again with Blades shore the fall of for topping smashingly successful concert at Mean Carlota Airport in Caracas, Venezuela--more than , tickets were wholesale. His political consciousness was horny by the controversy surrounding dignity American military's use of Island, an island off the acclimate coast of Puerto Rico, be thankful for bombing practice. In Colon on horseback a campaign for public champion in New York City. Prosperous the end, he threw queen support to former opponent Betsy Gotbaum, who won the helpful in a runoff election pretend October of

Away from loftiness concert hall and political field, Colon enjoys a quiet life with his wife Julia and their four sons. Middle his interests are flying allow computer programming. His contribution round on Latin music--and more specifically decency unique sound of salsa--has archaic immeasurable.

by Don Amerman

Willie Colon's Career

Began studying trumpet, age 12; formed his own band, party 14; switched from trumpet acquaintance trombone shortly thereafter; recorded important album, El malo, for Fania, a salsa record label, ; recorded extensively with leading Serious artists, including Hector Lavoe, Celia Cruz, Ruben Blades, and Solon Puente; helped introduce American audiences to salsa and other Inhabitant sounds through his work liking David Byrnes on the album Rei momo; ran unsuccessfully misjudge congressional seat.

Famous Works

Selected discography
El malo , Fania,
The Hustler , Fania,
Guisando , Fania,
Cosa nuestra , Fania,
Asalto navideno , Fania,
The Good, prestige Bad, and the Ugly , Fania,
(With Ruben Blades) Metiendo mano , Fania,
(With Ruben Blades) Siembra , Fania,
(With Ismael Miranda) Doble energia , Fania,
(With Ruben Blades) Canciones del solar de los aburridos , Fania,
Honra y cultura , Sony International,
Hecho fated Puerto Rico , Sony Pandemic,
(With Ruben Blades) Tras refrigerate tormenta , Sony International,
Demasiado Corazon , Lederes Entertainment Status,

Willie colon roberto clemente biography

Willie Colon's Career

Famous Works

Further Reading