The city’s flyers for next week’s annual Caliente concert have the word “caliente” (“hot”) crossed out, and the words “en fuego” (“on fire”) scribbled above, in tribute to the 2012 headliner whose website profile picture shows him surrounded in flames.
“Willie Colón is like the Bruce Springsteen of salsa music,” exclaims Tony Nunziante, Deputy Director of the Mayor’s Office Tourism and Special Events (MOATSE), perhaps referring to the fan appeal, fierce community pride, and social consciousness for which both musicians are known.
Colón, a prominent Latin entertainer/trombonist from the Big Apple will be the main attraction at next Thursday’s 5th annual free Caliente concert from 6-9 p.m. on City Hall Plaza.
Colón is a Nuyorican (a person born in New York of Puerto Rican parents), who in addition to his music career has been an activist for the political rights and cultural recognition of Puerto Ricans as well as a consciousness raiser about AIDS in the Latino community.
Colón’s official website notes, “As musician, composer, arranger, singer, and trombonist, as well as producer and director, Colón still holds the all time record for sales, he has created 40 productions that have sold more than thirty million records worldwide.” In November 2008 Willie Colón was named one of the 100 most influential Latinos by People en Español.
Colón and his orchestra perform around the world. This year alone they have played three different dates in each of these three countries: Mexico, Ecuador and Colombia.
The 62-year-old trombonist/ bandleader was originally slated to play in Boston on July 21 of this year, but a city scheduling snafu forced the city to request that Colón come later in the summer. He graciously agreed to appear on August 30.
Usually, these Caliente concerts have been held on Saturday nights, but this Thursday evening show will allow MOATSE to explore different options. Nunziante points out that not everyone wants to fight their way back into town on a Saturday night. The Thursday event allows folks who work in the city to get over to the plaza right after normal business hours to enjoy a free Latin concert in the cool evening air.
Opening for Colón will be local Latin legend, Eguie Castrillo, Associate Professor in the Percussion Department of Berklee College of Music. The Grammy-winning Castrillo and his orchestra have appeared in previous editions of Caliente and have recorded with such luminaries as Tito Puente, Jennifer Lopez, Steve Winwood, Blood Sweat & Tears, Arturo Sandoval, the Boston Pops, Donna Summer, Paquito D’Rivera, KC and the Sunshine Band, and Celia Cruz.
The concert is sponsored by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Telemundo television.
