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| Jose Feliciano at The Iridium World famous Jose Feliciano, one of the most acclaimed performers in the history of pop music will perform at The Iridium Jazz Club, NYC Nov. 17-19.Born blind in 1945, in Lares, Puerto Rico, Jose began his music career as a child playing concertina at age six. Self-taught on the guitar Jose has performed for and with some of the most important people on Earth. He's been voted both Best Jazz and Best Rock Guitarist in the Playboy Magazine reader's poll, and has been awarded over forty-five Gold and Platinum records; has won sixteen Grammy nominations, earning him six Grammy Awards and is in receipt of countless prestigious awards the world over. Synonymous with an international presence that has influenced popular music for more than two generations Jose has bridged musical styles in a way that has never been equaled. He is recognized as the first Latin artist to cross over into the English music market, opening the doors to others who now play an important part in the American music industry. From the coffee houses of 1960s Greenwich Village to international fame this native New Yorker (in 1996 New York City honored him by re- naming Public School 155 in East Harlem, "The Jose Feliciano Performing Arts School") has made pop music history with such hits as "Light My Fire, " which was number one on the charts in 1968 and according to the song publisher, is now a "standard" due to Jose's interpretation; "Che Sara", a mega-success in Europe, Asia and South America; and of course "Feliz Navidad, " the Christmas song that has now become a tradition worldwide during the holiday season every year. In fact, ASCAP has placed this song among the 25 Greatest Holiday Songs of the Century. The world has enjoyed many Feliciano songs, including "Rain, " "Chico and the Man, " "Destiny, " "Affirmation, " "Ay Cario, " "Ponte A Cantar, " "Cuando El Amor Se Acaba, " "Porque Te Tengo Que Olvidar?", and countless others. Feliciano's contributions to the music industry have been far reaching -- spanning generations and continents while emphasizing cultural diversity and mutual acceptance, enhanced significantly by his unsurpassed musical integrity. When Jose made a cameo appearance in the Academy Award Winning motion picture "Fargo" in 1995, he performed one such important self-penned composition, entitled, "Let's Find Each Other Tonight, " demonstrating his strengths as a songwriter as well as a performer. Jose's gifts of time, treasure and talent have earned him, over the years, the reputation of great humanitarian and 'Ambassador of Good Will' throughout the world. "I'll never forget where I came from or the people who helped my family or me along the way". For this reason, Jose will often lend a hand or his name in support of causes that he believes are important. Even though Jose has recorded nearly 70 albums in his impressive career he still is humble with all the successes he has had and, remarkably, feels that he has just started to share his talents with the world. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |