Salsa Pioneer Willie Colón Dies at 75, Shaping Latin Music's Sound
Willie Colón, the Bronx-born salsa trombonist, vocalist and composer who helped redefine salsa with Fania Records and iconic albums like Siembra (featuring Pedro Navaja), has died at 75. A trailblazer who fused jazz, rock and Afro‑Caribbean rhythms, Colón sold more than 30 million albums and earned numerous Grammy nominations. His death was announced by family on Facebook; the cause has not been disclosed. Colón’s legacy includes iconic hits and cross-cultural influence that expanded salsa beyond the dancefloor and inspired generations of Latin musicians.