LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of legendary romantic salsa
vocalist Jose Luis Feliciano Vega

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Jose Luis Feliciano Vega died on Thursday, April 17, 2014 at
the age of 78; and
WHEREAS, Born July 3, 1935 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Jose Luis Feliciano
Vega, better known as Cheo Feliciano, was a composer and singer of salsa
and bolero music; and
WHEREAS, As a child, Jose Luis Feliciano Vega was nicknamed Cheo by
his family, a name which means Jose and is a term usually only used by
close friends and family; in 1952, he moved with his family to New York
City and settled down in Spanish Harlem; and
WHEREAS, At an early age, Cheo Feliciano began pursuing a career in
music, leaving high school at 17 years old to study the best salsa
orchestras in New York; and
WHEREAS, Cheo Feliciano's devoted interest in New York City's Latin
music scene led to a stint as a Valet for one of New York's best-known
salsa singers, Tito Rodriguez; this connection provided the opportunity
to audition as a singer for bandleader Joe Cuba, and he soon became the
vocalist for Cuba's sextet; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, he recorded 17 albums with the sextet during the
1950s and 1960s on the Seeco and Tico labels; and
WHEREAS, By 1965, Cheo Feliciano was a soloist with many of New York's
finest salsa groups and Latin music artists, including Eddie Palmieri;
after a short retirement, he returned in 1972 as a part of Fania
Records' All-Stars ensemble, and also recorded as a solo artist for the
label for a decade; and
WHEREAS, Cheo Feliciano's career experienced another rebirth in 1990,
when he was signed to RMM Records; as with his previous projects, his
records for the label spotlight his sensual, passionate vocal style; and
WHEREAS, In 2000, Cheo Feliciano's album Una Voz, Mil Recuerdos, a
tribute to various Puerto Rican Singers, was listed among the 20
outstanding recordings of the year by the National Foundation of the
Popular culture of Puerto Rico; and
WHEREAS, The proud recipient of numerous awards and accolades, Cheo
Feliciano was honored with a Lifetime Achievement award at the 2008
Latin Grammy Awards; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Cheo Feliciano leaves
behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of legendary romantic salsa vocalist Jose Luis Feliciano
Vega; and the it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Jose Luis Feliciano Vega.