Doors 8pm. Willie Colón onstage 9.30pm.

"If one wanted the history of salsa in one name, it would be that of Colon, the trombonist and bandleader whose music unified the Latin American diaspora in the Seventies. As a wiry Bronx teenager, Colon began with records like El Malo ('The Bad Guy') that had muscle, street attitude and the charismatic Hector Lavoe as vocalist. Later, his arrangements, laced with Caribbean flavours, epitomised salsa sophistication, while his records with singer Ruben Blades redefined the Latino identity. " The Observer 1/7/07

"If you want pure star quality. Willie Colon is your man." Sunday Times 10/6/07

A special farewell London show for a true salsa legend.

Willie Colón was signed to Fania Records at 15 and recorded his first album at age 17, which ultimately sold more than 300,000 copies. Due to chance events (he had no singer for his band at recording time since his first candidate was killed in a street fight), the main record producer at Fania at the time, Johnny Pacheco, recommended Héctor Lavoe to him, the subject of a soon to be released J.Lo/Mark Anthony biopic. Colón’s collaboration with Héctor Lavoe was the milestone that spread this fusion of tropical/urban music throughout Latin America.

Over the course of his career, he has collaborated with Fania All Stars, Rubén Blades, David Byrne, and Celia Cruz. Siembra, his record with Rubén Blades, was the best selling album for its genre. In fact, Colón still holds the all time record for Latin music sales, he has created 40 productions that have sold more than thirty million records worldwide.
His achievements in all his activities are widely recognized. As musician, composer, arranger, singer, and trombonist, as well as producer and director. Now, after many years of community and political activity Willie Colón is retiring from live performance to pursue these interests. For one last night he reminds London of his brilliance.

Veteran DJ legend Gerry Lyseight plays the Incendiary Sound of Latin New York and much more before Mr Colon.

AFTERSHOW: For the dancers - join us for a special late night aftershow at Dingwalls (400m from Roundhouse) with DJs and dancing until 3am. More details on this site soon.