Gilberto "Pulpo" Colón Jr.
| Gilberto Colón Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 28, 1953 |
| Origin | New York City, New York |
| Genres |
Salsa Latin Jazz |
| Years active | 40 |
| Labels | The Mambo Project |
| Website | www.pulpomusic.com |
Gilberto "Pulpo" Colón Jr. (Born December 28, 1953) is a pianist, composer, arranger, producer, and band leader. Most notable is his role as Musical Director for salsa superstar singer Héctor Lavoe in which he served for over 16 years (1977–1993).[1] He is also credited for working with all three of the "Big 3" (Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, & Machito Orchestras).
Early musical influences
Colon's early musical influences include old Rock N Roll groups such as The Beatles, Elvis Presley and other groups of that nature. He also enjoyed what the Puerto rican people call "Jibaro" music. (Hibaro) A music style native to puerto Rico. Colón's family moved to the United States from Puerto Rico in the 1940s and immediately settled in the Bronx.
Recording debut
After playing New York City's Latin circuit, Colón joined the young orchestra of Rafi Val y La Diferente. It was with La Diferente where Colón made his recording debut on the self-titled album (1971). Colón continued to perform and record on the subsequent La Diferente albums (La Sociedad '72, Fuerza Bruta '74). It was in the winter of 1975 when Colón was approached by Héctor Lavoe to join his orchestra. Colón's first recording with Lavoe was in 1977 on the acclaimed Fania album Comedia (album). Colón's extended piano solo on the song 'Bandolera' earned him the award of 'Best Latin Piano Solo of the Year'. Initially awarded to former Lavoe pianist Prof. Joe Torres due to an editorial mistake,[2] the award bolted Colón to the forefront of Latin Music's notable musicians. Today, this is still considered one of the most memorable piano solos ever recorded on a commercial salsa album.[3] Along with Lavoe and the Big 3, Colón has worked & recorded with Latin music's most popular artists including Pete 'El Conde' Rodríguez, Francisco 'Kako' Bastar, Louie Ramirez, Adalberto Santiago, La Bruja, and many more.[4]
Recordings
Colón has participated in the following recordings (In chronological order):
- Rafi Val y La Diferente; Self Titled - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Rafi Val y La Diferente; La Sociedad - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Marty Galargarza y La Conquistadora; Pinocho - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Rafi Val y La Diferente; Fuerza Bruta - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros; Caliente - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Andy Harlow, La Musica Brava - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros; Chocolate En El Rincon - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Charanga 76'; Self Titled - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Pete "El Conde Rodriguez; A Touch of Class - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Hector Lavoe; Comedia - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Tito Rodriguez Jr; Curious? Canta: José Alberto "El Canario" - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Latin Percussion, Drum Solos, Volume 1 - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Latin Percussion, Drum Solos, Volume 2 - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Latin Percussion, Drum Solos, Volume 3 - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Hector Lavoe; Recordando a Felipe Pirela - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Orquesta Novel; A Novel Experience - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- La Salsa Mayor; Fuerte y Caliente - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Hector Lavoe; El Sabio - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Don Gonzalo Fernandez Presenta Miguel Quintana - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Charanga La Tapa; Charanga - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Hector Lavoe; Que Sentimientos - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Machito & Salsa Big Band; Live at North Sea '82 - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Louie Ramirez; Con Cache - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Frankie Morales; En Su Punto - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Frankie Morales; Sobresaliendo - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Hector Lavoe; Live - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Adalberto Santiago; Mas Sabroso - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Junior Gonzalez; Tribute To Héctor Lavoe - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Adalberto Santiago; Cosas Del Alma - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- En Vivo: A.J. Diaz Y Son De La Calle Homenaje Postume A Celia Cruz Y Tito Puente - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
- Pulpo; Hot Bread - Gilberto Colón Jr., Piano
Currently
Colón recorded his first solo album titled 'Hot Bread' which won the 2009 Independent Music Award's 'Best Latin Album'.[5] As a performing artist Colón stays active with his own band 'Ensalada De Pulpo', The Machito Orchestra, Orquesta De La Gente, Los Hermanos Moreno, and Boriqua Legends Band.
References
- ↑ Jaime Torres Torres (2003). Cada cabeza es un mundo; La historia de Héctor Lavoe, Third Edition, Mariana Editores, ISBN 0-9767412-7-X
- ↑ César Miguel Rondón (1979). El Libro De La Salsa; Chronicle of the music of the Urban Caribbean, Edition B
- ↑ Sun Sentinel: Gilberto "Pulpo" Colón and his hot salsa
- ↑ Descarga.com: Salsa's Unsung Pianist
- ↑ http://www.musiciansatlas.com/ima_new/labels/8th%20Annual%20IMA%20Winners.html 2008 Independent Music Award Finalists Announced