Willie Colon, a 75-year-old American salsa trombonist, arranger, and producer, passed away peacefully on Saturday, surrounded by his family. A pivotal figure in the Fania Records label, Colon, born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, was instrumental in the global recognition of salsa, a genre blending jazz and Afro-Cuban music that flourished in New York. He began his career at 17 with his debut album "El Malo" and went on to collaborate with iconic artists such as Celia Cruz and Rubén Blades. His enduring musical legacy is acknowledged by contemporary artists like Bad Bunny, who referenced Colon's work in his song "NUVEAYoL."