JOSE FELICIANO in CONCERT

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ABSTRACT ENTERTAINMENT
proudly presents

JOSE FELICIANO in CONCERT

"A Name that is Synonymous with Music"

Touring Australia in March 2018

His name is synonymous with an international presence that has influenced popular music for more than two generations....a presence that has bridged musical styles in a way that has never been equalled. JOSE FELICIANO is recognised as the first Latin Artist to cross over into the English music market, opening the doors to other artists who now play an important role in the American music industry. Critics have heaped such accolades as "the greatest living guitarist" and "the Picasso of his Realm" - making his accomplishments highly celebrated. JOSE FELICIANO has been awarded over 45 Gold and Platinum Records, nominated for nineteen Grammy Awards, including the "LARAS" Award for Lifetime achievement. He is best known for his many international hits, including his rendition of The Doors' "Light My Fire" and the best-selling Christmas single "Feliz Navidad" - his music is known for having a mix of styles, for example including both flamenco music and easy listening influences in many songs. Abstract Entertainment is pleased to announce that JOSE FELICIANO is touring Australia in March 2018. Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday 22nd August, 2017.

Special Guest WENDY MATTHEWS will be featured on the same bill alongside JOSE FELICIANO's SYDNEY, MELBOURNE and GOLD COAST Concerts.

JOSE FELICIANO - BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

Jose Feliciano was born blind, to humble beginnings, on September 10, 1945, in Lares, Puerto Rico. One of eleven boys, his love affair with music began at the age of three when he first accompanied his uncle on a tin cracker can. When he was five, his family immigrated to New York City. Young Jose learned to play the concertina at age six, using a handful of records as his teacher. At eight, he entertained his classmates at PS 57, and at nine, performed at The Puerto Rican Theater in the Bronx. Venturing beyond the accordion, he taught himself to play the guitar with undaunted determination and again, with nothing but records as his teacher, practicing for as many as 14 hours a day. Exposed to the Rock’n’Roll of the 50’s, Jose was then inspired to sing.

At 17, Jose Feliciano quit school. His father was not working at the time and he needed to help his family. He starting playing in coffee houses in Greenwich Village and for his salary — as was customary during that time in small clubs — they’d “pass the hat.” He played in coffee houses, clubs and cafes from Boston to Cleveland to Detroit, Chicago and Denver. A music critic from the New York Times, reviewing his performance at Gerde’s Folk City, referred to him as a “10-fingered wizard who romps, runs, rolls, picks and reverberates his six strings in an incomparable fashion.” He added, “If you want to witness the birth of a star, catch Mr. Feliciano before he leaves tomorrow night.” Around this time, Jack Sommer, an A&R executive from RCA, went to the Village to audition a trio who was there, saw Jose perform and signed him to RCA, instead. This was, indeed, the Birth of a Star.

Jose Feliciano’s first major break in the industry, however, happened in the Spanish market when, in 1966, after a spectacular performance at the Mar del Plata Festival in Argentina, the RCA executives in Buenos Aires encouraged Jose to stay and record an album of Spanish music. “They really didn’t know what to do with me in the studio,” Jose recalls. “So I suggested that we record a number of old boleros–songs I’d heard from the time I was a kid.” Feliciano’s interpretation of the classic bolero of the time was nothing short of amazing. The first single, “Poquita Fe,” was a ‘smash’ hit and “Usted” was even bigger. RCA executives in Los Angeles assigned him to staff producer, who recommended that he record The Doors’ classic song that he’d heard him perform in concert — a tune called, “Light My Fire”… By the time he was 23, Jose Feliciano had earned five Grammy nominations and won two Grammy Awards for his album “Feliciano!” He had performed over much of the world, and had recorded songs in four languages. But Jose was not satisfied. He had a desire to expand his career to include some acting and during the next few years, had made a number of dramatic TV appearances, including an episode of “Kung Fu”, “Macmillan and Wife” and “Chico and the Man”.

Three songs that have been milestones for Feliciano are: 1) “Light My Fire,” which topped the charts globally in 1968 and according to the song’s publisher, is now a “standard” because of Jose’s interpretation. 2) “Che Sara,” the 1971 San Remo Music Festival entry that became a mega-success for Jose throughout Europe, Asia and South America and of course, 3) “Feliz Navidad,” the Christmas song that has now become a tradition worldwide during the holiday season every year. In fact, it has become a top iTunes download while ASCAP has placed it among the 25 Greatest Holiday Songs of the Century!

Additionally, the world enjoys many other Feliciano songs, including “Rain,” “Chico and the Man,” “California Dreamin’,” “Destiny,” “Affirmation,” ‘The Sound of Vienna,” “Ay Cariño,” “Ponte A Cantar,” “Cuando El Amor Se Acaba,” “Porque Te Tengo Que Olvidar?” and countless others, many of which are of his own writing. When Jose made a cameo appearance in the Academy Award Winning motion picture “Fargo” in 1995, he performed one such important self-penned composition, “Let’s Find Each Other Tonight,” demonstrating his strength as a songwriter, as well as a performer.

Jose Feliciano’s gifts of time, treasure and talent have earned him 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 is still humble with all the successes he has had and, remarkably, feels that he has just started to share his talents with the world.

Tour Dates & Venue

Wednesday 7th March, 2018
SOUTHERN CROSS CLUB, CANBERRA
Bookings: (02) 6283 7200
Friday 9th March, 2018
STATE THEATRE, SYDNEY with Special Guest WENDY MATTHEWS
Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 139 588 www.ticketmaster.com.au
Saturday 10th March, 2018
PALAIS THEATRE, MELBOURNE with Special Guest WENDY MATTHEWS
Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 139 588 www.ticketmaster.com.au
Wednesday 14th March, 2018
REGAL THEATRE, PERTH
Bookings: (08) 9388 2066 or Ticketek 132 849
Friday 16th March, 2018
THE GOV, ADELAIDE
Bookings: 1300 762 545 or www.oztix.com.au
Saturday 17th March, 2018
THE STAR, GOLD COAST with Special Guest WENDY MATTHEWS
Bookings: Ticketek www.ticketek.com.au
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