What a week! Caught Willie Colon in one of his very rare SF Bay Area appearances at the 10th Annual San Francisco Salsa Congress at the Oakland Marriott. Colon, who has a notorious reputation for being unpredictable, played a phenomenal set. Backed by a top notch band and a powerful horn section boasting 2 trombones and sax, Willie was splendid on lead vocals, trombone and bass trumpet (one of his featured instruments since the late 70’s which sounds like a trombone). He thrilled the crowd with his opening medley of his early hits with Hector LaVoe. His trombone playing was strong blasting out monas as he did 40 or more years ago. He was also in fine voice as he performed songs from various periods of his long career with passion, style and power. Colon doesn’t visit us very often but this was definitely a musical highlight.