Javier Colon
Javier Colon (stylized as Colón; born April 29, 1978) is an American acoustic singer-songwriter. He has referred to his style of music as being "acoustic soul." He was a member of EmcQ and The Derek Trucks Band, and worked with many musicians before going solo. From 2002 to 2006, he was signed to Capitol Records, known as artist Javier. In 2006, however, the contract was terminated and Javier Colon became an independent artist with his own label, Javier Colon Music. In 2011, He was the winner of season 1 of American talent competition show on NBC, The Voice, receiving $100,000 and signing a recording contract with Universal Republic Records. Colon eventually decided to part ways with Universal Republic in 2012.
This article is about the American singer. For Puerto Rican basketball player, see Javier Antonio Colón.
Javier Colon
Javier Colón
April 29, 1978
Stratford, Connecticut, U.S.
- Singer–songwriter
- Vocals
- guitar
- piano
1999–present
Early life[edit]
Colon was born in Stratford, Connecticut,[1] the son of a Dominican father and Puerto Rican mother.[2] His father worked in a radio station.[3] He went to Frank Scott Bunnell High School in Stratford, Connecticut, where he started writing songs. Then he pursued a degree in music education from the University of Hartford's Hartt School. While studying, Javier also performed as vocalist and percussionist in EmcQ, a soul/funk band led by lead guitarist Ian McHugh and mainly dedicated to the legacy of Stevie Wonder.
Music career[edit]
When EmcQ opened a show for the soul-jazz trio Soulive, the group's guitarist, Eric Krasno, was impressed by Javier's vocals and recommended him to his friend Derek Trucks, who he knew was looking for a lead vocalist for The Derek Trucks Band.[2] Following his college graduation[2] and a successful audition in July 2000, Javier joined the band in August 2000.[4]
After touring with the band for nearly two years, Javier, then 24 years old, left the band in April 2002 to pursue a solo career,[4] having been signed by Capitol Records. He went on to release two albums with Capitol Records, the first the self-titled Javier in 2003, and the second entitled Left of Center in 2006.[2]
Since parting ways with Capitol Records, Javier has performed with such diverse acts as Joss Stone, Darius Rucker, the Indigo Girls, Stevie Nicks, Adam Levine, and Anthony Hamilton,[5] and recorded an EP on his own label, Javier Colon Music.[6] On stage, Javier's primary instruments are steel and nylon stringed acoustic guitars by Larrivée (guitar company) and Taylor Guitars. In 2009, he was featured as singer and songwriter for song, "October Sky", on Vanessa Williams's vocal album, The Real Thing.