Jose Feliciano - The "Picasso of Latin Music"

In 1965 or maybe it was 1966 or 67? - Jose Feliciano was calling us to warmer climes and I was stuck in Chicago, finishing high school, dreaming about California and many other things, as well.

His guitar technique is unmatched. His voice, distinctly Latino, etches itself into your memory. He writes lyrics that describe the essence of life for us. He has overcome obstacles of poverty, blindness, and obscurity to become instantly recognized by a billion or more people all over the world! His “Feliz Navidad” is recognized by so many as the Christmas song that unites all faiths, all races, all classes. He has been dubbed "The Picasso of Latin Music" because with his songs he paints beautiful, emotional portraits and landscapes for us. Truly he inspires all of us! He is a legend.

The other night I saw Jose on television again, for the first time in many years, at the White House Latino Night Celebration and his voice sounds just as pure and his guitar is just as brilliant as ever! So today when I heard California Dreamin’ played as an insipid instrumental piece on the radio, it made me want to hear Jose’s voice again and share it with you - remind you of his genius.

He has a website that is state of the art - with video and songs and story and beautiful photos and graphics.  If you missed the performance with Gloria Estefan at the White House, you can view a great video of it on his website - the link follows.

You will also find a great interview there with him talking directly to you (no interviewer to interrupt) about his studio and how he works, with percussion, synthesizers and this friend “Al” who accompanies him in his private studio.

Ain't No Sunshine is another of my favorites, and really showcases his plaintive voice and his expertise with percussive guitar riffs that will transport you to your past, or if you are hearing it for the first time, will impress itself in your mind forever! The refrain on this song where he uses his voice like an flute has always made me want to get up and dance. The man is really one of the muses and masters of music!

He was born in Puerto Rico, 1945, into a family of eleven boys - learned to play music at the age of three. At six he was playing the concertina, learning from records. His family had moved to New York City, so fortunately for us, he found opportunities to learn and perform, first performing at the age of eight and nine.

We all know he became possibly THE first “crossover” Latino musician, playing in the “white” world where no one could deny he was truly a genius.

It is interesting that around the same time Stevie Wonder, also blind, was another “crossover” and they are both true examples of great obstacles becoming great opportunities! As their blindness, combined with their superior musical talents, perhaps gave them special entry to the pop music world and paved the way for other spectacular musicians. We are grateful that they continue to share their world of music with us. When they sing and play their blindness is just forgotten.

I recall Jose singing the national anthem at the World Series in 1968 and his rendition of any song, even the national anthem, always makes it his own! Unbelievably focused and a purist with the guitar and voice, he can bend the music to his very distinctive original sound.

I direct you to his website for more biographical info and beautiful photographs.

And if you would like to listen free to some of his music, you can go to Rhapsody Unlimited and hear 25 free tracks each month. They have an excellent music library there.

I believe that if you have not fully explored the world of exquisite Latino music, you could not do better than to begin learning about the sounds of Spanish/Latino music with Jose Feliciano!