Javier Colon was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of a Dominican father, who owned a Spanish-language radio station, and a Puerto Rican mother. Though raised in a mostly white, middle-class area, he experienced a broad cross section of music in his childhood, including latin, pop and, of course, soul. He ultimately attended the University of Hartford's Hartt School of Music, where he graduated in 2000. After graduating from Hartt, he served as percussionist for a soul band covering classic 70s soul and funk. When his band opened for jazz-funk outfit Soulive, he came to the attention of modern guitarist supreme, Derek Trucks, and ended up touring with the popular Derek Trucks Band for a year and a half. In 2002, Javier decided to part ways with the band and pursue a solo career. About a year later, Javier recorded an EP and was ultimately signed by Capitol Records. On stage, Javier's primary instruments are steel string acoustic guitars by Larrivée (guitar company) as well as a nylon string guitar by Taylor Guitars.