Frank Colón

Infobox musical artist

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Name = Frank Colon
Img_size = 200px
Landscape =
Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth_name =
Alias =
Born = October 13, 1951
Died =
Origin = Washington, D.C
U.S. flagicon|USA
Instrument = Percussion
Voice_type =
Genre = Jazz fusion
Latin jazz
World music
Occupation = Musician
Years_active = 1960s - Present
Label =
Associated_acts = Solo
The Manhattan Transfer
Wayne Shorter
URL = [http://www.frankcolon.com http://www.frankcolon.com]
Current_members =
Past_members =
Notable_instruments = Congas, Berimbau, Shekere, Bata Drums, Bongos, Cuica, Tablas, Assorted Percussion Effects

Frank Colón (born October 13, 1951, in Washington, D.C.) is an American musician and martial artist, of Puerto Rican descent.

Biography

Moving to Puerto Rico from Washington, D.C. at the age of five, Frank's musical instruction began at age eleven, beginning with classical piano lessons, under the guidance of Angelina Figueroa and Rafael Figueroa, both members of Puerto Rico’s most prestigious classical music family. Frank kept up his piano studies throughout his teenage years, trying his hand at pop guitar, electric bass, and trap drums, as well. He was also very active in municipal and collegiate sports, martial arts, and amateur theater. During this time, he worked with various local pop music groups throughout the island of Puerto Rico.

In 1970, he moved to Washington, D.C. to attend college at American University, where he majored in Political Science. During this time, his musical orientation changed from melodic instruments to percussion. Finishing his university requirements, he turned full-time to his music.

In 1976, Frank moved to New York City, on a call to work with his friend and mentor, the legendary drum master, Julito Collazo. Through Julito's guidance, he became proficient at playing the Batá drums, sacred to the Orisha (Santería) religion.

Frank has played Brazilian percussion since the time he lived in Washington, D.C. Besides learning other rhythms and instruments from the interior of Brazil, he excels in his knowledge and skill of the Capoeira. Having always pursued knowledge in both music and martial arts, Frank is today one of only a handful of American black belt instructors in the Israeli self-defense system called Krav-Maga, having been certified as such by the Wingate Institute of Israel and Krav-Maga International, Inc. He was the first elected Vice-President of the American Association of Krav maga Instructors (AAKMI), nowadays Known as The Krav maga Federation.

olo works

Frank released two albums as a leader:
*Frank Colón "Live at Vartanjazz"
*Frank Colón "Latin Wonder"

Collaborations

A partial list of whom Frank Colón has performed, recorded and/or toured with includes The Manhattan Transfer, Wayne Shorter, Weather Report, Thalía, Mary J. Blige, Harry Belafonte, Gato Barbieri, Chet Baker, Pat Metheny, Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock, Gilberto Gil, Larry Coryell, Janis Siegel, Jimmy Smith, Minehaha, Milton Nascimento, The Kremlin Chamber Orchestra, Tania Maria, Ernie Watts, Paquito D'Rivera, Dave Valentin, Jon Lucien, João Bosco, Francisco Buarque de Holanda, Michael Wolff, Cesar Camargo Mariano, Ney Matogrosso, Elba Ramalho, Marina, Adam Klipple, Roman Miroshnichenko, RPM, Larry Coryell, Billy Taylor, Gal Costa, Azymuth, Dianne Reeves, Michel Camilo, Nestor Torres, Felix Cavalieri, Airto, Mickey Hart, Samir Chatterjee, Michael Galasso, George Benson, among many others...

Filmography

*Frank has been featured in numerous television specials all over the world. These have included an HBO special with Harry Belafonte titled, "Don´t Stop the Music", taped in Winnipeg, Canada; an Disney Channel Special with the Manhattan Transfer, titled, "Going Home"; a tv special with Tania Maria for the "Ohne Filter" show, out of Baden-Baden, Germany; a Brazil TVE special with Milton Nascimento "Live in Montreux"; two appearances on The Tonight Show with The Manhattan Transfer - one with Johnnie Carson and the other with Jay Leno; a special on WIPR TV in Puerto Rico, featured with Tania Maria, performing in the Heineken Jazz Festival; an HBO broadcast of the 40th Anniversary of Atlantic Records, in Madison Square Garden; an appearance on the Good Morning America show (ABC TV)with The Manhattan Transfer, and various other appearances performing with his own band throughtout Russia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgistan, Georgia and Moldova.

*He is also featured in the movie, "Calle 54", by Oscar-winning director, Fernando Trueba.

External links

* [http://www.frankcolon.com/ Frank Colon's official website]
* [http://www.kravmaga.bz/ Krav-Maga Instructor Frank Colón]
* [http://www.myspace.com/frankcolonmusic]
* [http://www.frankcolon.blogspot.com]