“¡Pulpea, Pulpea!”

Independent Music Awards Winner 2008!
"Best of 2008! by Descarga.com

Welcome to Gilberto Colón Jr. affectionately known as “PULPO”. The esteemed pianist initially received this nickname from his brother and conguero Eddie Montalvo during a live recording session. Soon after, superstar vocalist Héctor Lavoe made the same reference during a show at the legendary Corso Nightclub for his dynamic ability to move up and down the keyboard telling a story through his solo. From then on, the name stuck and he continues to live up to his melodic and spontaneous reputation on the piano.

Pulpo's resume and experience have made him one of the fastest rising pianists of his generation. Born in New York City on December 28, 1953, Pulpo began his musical journey at the young age of 14. After experimenting with various instruments, Pulpo ultimately joined his dear friend Oscar Hernández with piano lessons. Under the tutelage of piano luminary Charlie Palmieri, Pulpo quickly learned the essential skills for success in the competitive industry. As a teenager, Pulpo was playing at the epicenter of Salsa's Golden Age while recording & performing with some of the biggest bands in the business including Rafi Val's La Diferente, Pete "Conde" Rodriguez, and Kako's All Stars.
In 1975, Pulpo received his big break and was approached by FANIA All-Star vocalist Héctor Lavoe to be his pianist and musical director. For 16 years, Pulpo recorded and served with Lavoe while they toured throughout the world. As musical director, Pulpo integrated a second trumpet to the orchestra which proved to add an extra dimension to the already talented band. As Pulpo's popularity increased, he played and musically directed a multitude of recordings throughout the salsa circuit.
In addition, Pulpo is credited for playing with all three of the "Big 3"; The Tito Puente Orchestra, The Tito Rodriguez Orchestra, and the Machito Orchestra. Aside from his work with Lavoe, Pulpo credits his experience with the Big 3, as "the break that really took my playing to the next level." In addition, Pulpo is highly regarded as a teacher of piano and musical theory in which he taught for over 16 years at Johnny Colón's East Harlem Music School in New York City.
Pulpo's popularity in all these different circles extends far beyond his musical ability. His warm natured personality and charming sense of humor is described as infectious making him one of the industry's most pleasant pianists to work with.
In addition to his own band, Pulpo continues to play and tour with the Big 3 Palladium Orchestra. Most recently, Pulpo has become the musical director of Orquesta De La Gente (ODLG), a group dedicated to the memory of Héctor Lavoe in which they perform original tunes from the vocalist's repertoire. As musical director for ODLG and various other projects, Pulpo is widely considered one of the latin industry's most accomplished pianists.

Discography
Rafi Val y La Diferente; (Self Titled) Released 1971
Rafi Val y La Diferente; La Sociedad. Released 1972
Marty Galargarza y La Conquistadora; Pinocho. Released 1974
Rafi Val y La Diferente; Fuerza Bruta. Released 1975
Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros; Caliente. Released 1975
Andy Harlow, La Musica Brava. Released 1976
Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros; Chocolate En El Released 1976 / Re-Issued 1999
Charanga 76'; Self Titled. Released 1976
Pete "El Conde Rodriguez; A Touch of Class. Released 1977
Héctor Lavoe; Comedia. Released 1978 / Re-Issued 2006
Tito Rodriguez Jr; Curious? Canta: José Alberto "El Released 1978 / Re-Issued 2006
Latin Percussion, Drum Solos, Volume 1, 2, 3. Released 1978 / Re-Issued 2000
Héctor Lavoe; Recordando a Felipe Pirela. Released in 1979 / Re-Issued 2006
Orquesta Novel; A Novel Experience. Released 1979
La Salsa Mayor; Fuerte y Caliente. Released 1979
Héctor Lavoe; El Sabio. Released 1980 / Re-Issued 2006
Don Gonzalo Fernandez Presenta Miguel Quintana. Released 1980
Charanga La Tapa; Charanga. Released 1981; Re-Issued 1994
Héctor Lavoe; Que Sentimientos. Released in 1983 / Re-Issued 2006
Machito & Salsa Big Band; Live at North Sea '82. Released 1983
Louie Ramirez; Con Cache. Released 1984
Frankie Morales; En Su Punto. Released 1987
Frankie Morales; Sobresaliendo. Released 1989
Héctor Lavoe; Live. Released in 1997 / Re-Issued 2006
Adalberto Santiago; Mas Sabroso. Released 1998
Junior Gonzalez; Tribute To Héctor Lavoe. Released 2000
Adalberto Santiago; Cosas Del Alma. Re-Issued 2002
En Vivo: A.J. Diaz Y Son De La Calle Homenaje Postume A Celia Cruz Y Tito Puente
Released 2004

2008 latest Release "Hor Bread"
Credits & Press
Gilberto “Pulpo” Colón Jr. PIANO
José Raul Santiago, Ramon Martinez BASS
Pablo “Chino” Nuñez Jr. TIMBALES
“Pequeño” Johnny Rivero, Chembo Corniel CONGAS
“Pequeño” Johnny Rivero, Richie Bastar BONGOS/BELL
José Davila, Luis “Pipi” Cruz, Joe De Jesús TROMBONES
David Gomez BATA
“Pequeño” Johnny Rivero SHEKERE
Jorge Gonzalez MINOR PERCUSSION
Héctor “Papote” Jiménez LEAD VOCALS & CORO
Jorge Maldonado, Eddie Rosado CORO
Gilberto “Pulpo” Colón Jr. Recording & Musical Director
Chris Soto Producer

"Hot Bread"'s Press & Reviews:

It is hard to believe, but this new production is his debut recording as a leader. “Hot Bread” brings Pulpo together with an amazing ensemble of players, creating vivid colors and shapes, while exploring rhythmic possibilities within the boundaries of Latin Jazz and Afro-Caribbean music. Rudy Mangual (Editor-in-Chief, Latin Beat Magazine)

Veteran pianist tears it up... A huge DJ Alert for Salsa and Latin Jazz fans alike. A must-have. Not to be missed! - Bruce Polin (Descarga.com)

A new concept CD from a very talented, latino flavored pianist - Larry Harlow (Fania All-Star, Latin Music Pioneer)

One of my favorite things I enjoy is hot bread right out of the oven. So when I received Gilberto "Pulpo" Colón Jr.'s new CD titled "Hot Bread" I thought “great title!” Sure enough, upon listening to the CD, and being very familiar with Pulpo's music career the CD totally lived up to my expectations. Excellent music played by some excellent musicians. I am very happy and excited for Gilberto Colón Jr. on this, his debut CD. He has over 30 years of experience playing with some of the best and important artists of this genre and his artistry, musicianship and experience shine through on this recording beautifully. Bravo!
Oscar Hernández (Grammy winning director of Spanish Harlem Orchestra)

A recording like this will probably be overlooked today, though not tomorrow. The greatness of the groove, the explosion of the Puerto Rican/New York style so late in the day will be appreciated in historical terms - you know, a work of genius after the genre had flowered, etc. My suggestion: buy some of these now, give them away to friends and neighbors, get insistent with them, make them pay attention as the recording, essentially a descarga led by the ferocious montunos of Colon's piano, is a celebration of all the best things that have happened in what's called salsa. And Colon's a mean pianist, taking the band down to a whisper in some of his solos, and setting up all sorts of tricky tempo changes - listen to "Tirandote Flores" - to take the recording out of the range of the ordinary, and placing it where it should be, in the world of improvisation. Good musicians all over the date, too... What I like about this date is its naturalism: it sounds like a live session, really well recorded, enjoyed by both the band and the audience. Going to be hard to bump this from '08's top ten list. - Peter Watrous (Descarga.com)

El Pulpo can be invited as a guest musician on your show. He can bring his Latin Jazz Quintet or his "Hot Bread" Salsa Band.