Frank Colón

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

Born in Washington, D.C., Colón moved from there to Puerto Rico at the age of five. His musical instruction began at age eleven, beginning with classical piano lessons, under the guidance of Angelina Figueroa and Rafael Figueroa. He also studied Brazilian percussion, guitar, electric bass, and trap drums. He was active in municipal and collegiate sports, martial arts, and amateur theater, and worked with various local pop music groups.

In 1970, he moved back 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 music.

In 1976, Colón moved to New York City to work with the drummer Julito Collazo.There he became proficient at playing the Batá drums.

Colón is a practitioner of capoeira, and a black belt instructors in the Israeli self-defense system Krav-Maga, certified 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.He currently holds the rank of Professor Black Belt Dan 2.

As leader

• Live at Vartanjazz
• Latin Wonder

As sideman

With Tania Maria

• The Real Tania Maria: WILD! (CONCORD, 1985)

• Outrageously Wild! (Concord, 1993)

With Ray Anderson

• Don't Mow Your Lawn (Enja, 1994)

• Heads and Tales (Enja, 1995)

With Michael Galasso

• High Lines (ECM, 2005)

With Mickey Hart

• Planet Drum (Rykodisk, 1991)

With The Manhattan Transfer

• Brasil (Atlantic, 1987)

• The Offbeat of Avenues (Atlantic, 1991)

• Vibrate (Telarc, 2004)

With Wayne Shorter

• Joy Ryder (Columbia, 1988)

With Gato Barbieri

• Bahia (Fania, 1982)

With Milton Nascimento

• Missa dos Quilombos (Ariola, 1982)

• Anima (Ariola, 1983)

• Canta Brasil (Ariola, 1993)

• Ao Vivo em Montreux (Ariola, 1983)

With Barbara Dennerline

• Junkanoo (Verve, 1997)

With Janis Siegel

• I Wish You Love (Telarc, 2001)

• The Tender Trap (Medici, 1999)

With Airto Moreira

• Aqui se Puede (Montuno, 1986)

• Samba de Flora (Montuno, 1988)

• The Other Side of This (Rykodisc, 1992)

With Michael Wolff

• Intoxicate (Indianola, 2001)

• Impure Thoughts (Razor & Tie, 2000)

• Sexual Healing (Roving Spirits, 2002)

With Towa Tei

• Future Listening! (Elektra, 1995)

With TanaReid

• Blue Motion (Evidence, 1994)

With Ernie Watts & Gilberto Gil

• Afoxê (CTI, 1991)

With Ivo Perelman

• Children of Ibeji (Enja, 1991)

With Michel Petrucciani

• Music (Blue Note, 1989)

• The Blue Note Years (Blue Note, 1994)

With Charles Erland

• Front Burner (Milestone, 1988)

With Andrea Marcelli

• Oneness (Lipstick, 1994)

With Robertinho Silva

• Speak No Evil (Ariola, 1995)

• Bodas de Prata (Gismonti, 1989)

With Wagner Tiso

• Ao Vivo em Montreux (Ariola, 1983)

With Bob Stewart

• Goin' HOme (Verve, 2003)

With Mary J Blige

• My Life (Verve, 1994)

• Reflections (Columbia, 2006)

With David Bennett Cohen

• Cookin' With Cohen (Core, 2008)

With Babatunde Lea

• Level of Intent (Motema Music, 1991)

With George Clinton

• By Way of the Drum (Hip-O Select, 2007)

With Diem Jones

• Equanimity (Dr. Woo, 2007)

With Tom Lellis

• Southern Expousure (Adventure, 2003)

With Ana France

• A Girl From Ipanema (France, 2007)

With Cecilia Tenconi

• Tiger Lily (Cecitenco, 2007)

With John R. Pollard

• Passion, Poison & Politik (PPP, 2002)

With Jennifer Richman

• Flowers of Gold (MarcusW, 2006)

With Steve Sacks

• Primeiro Sonho (AMJ, 1999)