Willie Colón, US salsa legend, dies aged 75

Willie Colón, the US salsa trombonist, vocalist and composer, has died at 75, his family said. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Willie Colón, the American trombonist, vocalist and composer known for his role in popularising salsa, has died at age 75, his family announced. The family posted a statement saying they grieve his absence and celebrate the lasting gift of his music. The cause of death was not disclosed. Colón was born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents and rose to prominence with recordings and performances that shaped salsa music. Known details: - His family announced his death and described his music as a lasting gift. - He was 75 years old and the cause of death has not been disclosed. - He recorded dozens of albums, including La Gran Fuga (1970) and El Juicio (1972), and released his first album, El Malo, in 1967 after signing with Fania Records as a teenager. - His music blended jazz, rock and salsa and incorporated rhythms from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Africa; he also received a lifetime achievement award from the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 2004 and was active in Latino social causes. Summary: Willie Colón is widely noted for his influence on salsa and for blending diverse musical traditions into his work. Undetermined at this time.