Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

September 10, 1945 in Lares, Puerto Rico

 

José Feliciano is a Puerto Rican-born musician and composer who has made a significant impact on the world of classical music. Born on September 10, 1945, in Lares, Puerto Rico, Feliciano grew up in a family of musicians. His father, José Monserrate Feliciano García, was a musician and carpenter, and his mother, Gregoria Jiménez, was a homemaker. Feliciano's parents recognized his musical talent at a young age and encouraged him to pursue his passion. Feliciano's family moved to New York City when he was five years old, and he began playing the guitar at the age of nine. He was inspired by the music of Elvis Presley, and he taught himself to play by listening to his records. Feliciano's unique style of playing the guitar, which involved using his thumb to pluck the strings instead of a pick, became his trademark. Feliciano's talent was recognized by the music industry when he was just 17 years old. He was discovered by Jack Sommers, a producer for RCA Records, who was impressed by Feliciano's guitar playing and singing. Sommers signed Feliciano to a recording contract, and his first album, "The Voice and Guitar of José Feliciano," was released in 1964. Feliciano's music was a blend of Latin, jazz, and pop influences, and his unique style of playing the guitar made him stand out from other musicians of his time. He became known for his soulful voice and his ability to infuse his music with emotion. Feliciano's breakthrough came in 1968 when he released his version of "Light My Fire," a song originally recorded by The Doors. Feliciano's version of the song became a hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song also earned Feliciano a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1969. Feliciano continued to release successful albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He collaborated with other musicians, including Frank Sinatra, who called Feliciano "the greatest living guitarist." Feliciano's music continued to evolve, and he began incorporating classical music into his compositions. In 1991, Feliciano released "Señor Bachata," an album that blended traditional bachata music with classical guitar. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it earned Feliciano a Latin Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Feliciano's love of classical music continued to grow, and he began composing his own classical pieces. In 1996, he released "Concierto de Aranjuez," a classical guitar concerto that was inspired by the music of Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo. The concerto was a tribute to Feliciano's father, who had passed away the year before. "Concierto de Aranjuez" was a critical success, and it earned Feliciano a Latin Grammy Award for Best Classical Album. The concerto showcased Feliciano's skill as a composer and his ability to blend different musical styles. Feliciano continued to compose classical music throughout the 2000s and 2010s. In 2012, he released "The Soundtrax of My Life," an album that featured his original compositions for film and television. The album showcased Feliciano's versatility as a composer and his ability to create music that evokes emotion and tells a story. Feliciano's contributions to the world of classical music have been significant. He has blended different musical styles and created compositions that are both innovative and timeless. His unique style of playing the guitar and his soulful voice have made him a beloved musician around the world.

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