Urban Salsa Music Pioneer Willie Colón Remembered at New York Funeral

The Grammy-nominated trombonist, composer, and activist died last month at age 75.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Family, friends, and fans will gather at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City on Monday to pay tribute to Willie Colón, the Grammy-nominated architect of urban salsa music and social activist who passed away last month at the age of 75. Colón produced over 40 albums that sold more than 30 million copies worldwide and collaborated with a wide range of artists. He was also known for his community leadership and involvement in civil rights and politics.

Why it matters

Willie Colón was a pioneering figure in the urban salsa music scene, helping to expand and politicize the genre. His passing marks the end of an era for this influential musical movement and the loss of a prominent community leader and activist.

The details

Colón's public funeral Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral will follow a weekend of private and public visitations. His burial will be private. The cause of his death was not publicly announced, but his family said he passed away peacefully surrounded by relatives at a hospital in Westchester County, just north of New York City.

  • Colón died on February 21, 2026.
  • The public funeral Mass will be held on Monday, March 10, 2026.

The players

Willie Colón

A Grammy-nominated trombonist, composer, arranger, and singer who was a pioneer of urban salsa music. He produced over 40 albums that sold more than 30 million copies worldwide and collaborated with a wide range of artists.

David Dinkins

The former mayor of New York City, for whom Colón served as a special assistant.

Michael Bloomberg

The former mayor of New York City, for whom Colón also served as a special assistant.

Eliot Engel

The U.S. Representative whom Colón unsuccessfully challenged in the 1994 Democratic primary.

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What they’re saying

“While we grieve his absence, we also rejoice in the timeless gift of his music and the cherished memories that will live on forever.”

— Colón's Family (Social Media)

“Willie Colón not only changed salsa, but also expanded it, politicized it, clothed it in urban chronicles, and took it to stages where it hadn't been heard before.”

— Pietro Carlos, Colón's Manager (Social Media)

What’s next

Colón's burial will be a private ceremony following the public funeral Mass.

The takeaway

Willie Colón's passing marks the end of an era for the urban salsa music scene, which he helped pioneer and expand through his influential body of work. As both a musical innovator and community leader, Colón left a lasting legacy that will be celebrated at his upcoming New York funeral.