Six-time Grammy Award winning artist, acclaimed by critics throughout the world as "the greatest living guitarist". Jose's guitar work is legendary. For over 30 years he has been "instrumental" in dignifying the acoustic guitar by bringing it to a level of acceptance rivaled by few in the industry. Soul, pop, rock, jazz, classical - in English Spanish and Italian, Jose has delighted people worldwide with his inimitable style. Honored by Guitar player Magazine, he is in their "Gallery of the Greats"; his hands are 'enbronzed' in Madame Tussaud's in London and Billboard Magazine has bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award on the man whose life has been the guitar. Jose has recorded over 60 albums in his impressive career. Still humble with all the successes he has had, Jose feels that his career is just beginning and that he has just started to share his talents with the world.
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As an acoustic guitarist of Feliciano's stature, you can imagine that his nails are extremely important to his ability to perform:
Jose Feliciano's Nail Care

Feliciano FAQs

Where were you born?
I was born in the mountains of Puerto Rico, in a little town called, "Lares".

When were you born?
On September 10, 1945

Were you born blind?
Yes.

Does being blind make you a better musician?
No. Perhaps only more focused and determined to do something with my life that mattered.

Do you have any brothers or sisters?
I was one of 11 boys.

Who were your greatest musical influences growing up?
People like Sam Cooke and Ray Charles. Elvis. Segovia, Joao Gilberto and Django Rheinhart.

What is a "cuatro"?
It is the traditional instrument of Puerto Rico. It has ten strings and kind of sounds like a mandolin.

Has the cuatro ever been featured in any of your music?
Yes. In "Feliz Navidad", "Ponta A Cantar" "Che Sera" ,"La Ultima Noche" from the "Señor Bolero" CD and others.

When did you start to play the guitar?
When I was 9 years old.

What other instruments do you play?
I play the bass, drums, all kinds of percussion, a little keyboards and synthesizers.

What do you do when a string breaks?
I can either finish the song, if I am performing live on stage and change to the electric guitar or change it right there (it creates a little diversion from the norm)...

Do you write your own music?
Yes, of course. I've written many, many songs, like "Feliz Navidad", "Rain", "Affirmation", "Señor Bolero". I've written an entire film score, and songs used in films. I've written the music for a theatrical play and a couple of television themes. I've also composed classical pieces including one I call "Mozartean Influence".

What are your favorite songs by other artists?
Well, I've always liked the Beatles' stuff, all of it, the music of Bob Dylan, and of course Sinatra's music. I also like a lot of today's music, especially N'SYNC and Celine Dion's music...

What would you like to change in your life?
I'd like more hours in the day.

How do you come up with ideas for songs?
Often times, they come to me in dreams.

Describe your creative process.
We often go into the studio not having a clue what we're going to come up with and almost always, I just start, maybe, laying down a guitar or even a bass track or sometimes a drum rhythm. From there it starts to build into something that usually sounds like a song!

More FAQ: http://www.josefeliciano.com/faq.htm

Guitar Transcriptions by Eileen Blass for Guitar works recorded by Jose Feliciano: http://www.josefeliciano.com/fireworks1.htm.

Hear sound bites from Siempre Boleros, CD released earlier this year or check out "Very Best Of Jose Feliciano", also released earlier this year. 24 tracks on 2 CDs, only $13.99.

More Classical Artists:
Francisco Tarrega
Fernando Sor
Andrés Segovia
Jose Feliciano
Christopher Parkening
John Williams
Julian Bream
More at http://www.guitarsite.com/bands4.htm?nl60

Guitar History: http://www.guitarsite.com/history.htm?nl60 Classical Links: http://www.guitarsite.com/classical.htm?nl60 Flamenco: http://www.guitarsite.com/flamenco.htm?nl60