Cheo Feliciano & Franky Rodriguez Orch Heat Up Jorgensen Latin Fest 10/1

Cheo Feliciano and the Franky Rodriguez Orchestra Heats up the stage at Jorgensen Latin Fest Saturday, October 1, at 8 pm; doors open at 7 pm

Dance the night away to the irresistible beat of salsa with Cheo Feliciano and the Franky Rodriguez Orchestra. Also on the program are DJ Wil G and a dance performance by UConn's Latin Dance Club, BAILE. It all takes place on Saturday, October 1, at 8 pm at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Connecticut campus in Storrs.

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, in 1935 in humble surroundings, salsa singer and composer Cheo Feliciano is known as a living legend. He formed his first group with friends at age eight, using instruments made from cans. He settled with family in Spanish Harlem in New York and became a sought-after percussionist. Feliciano played for the Tito Rodriguez orchestra, Luis Cruz and the Kako y su Trabuco orchestra. He sang for the Joe Cuba Sextet and later the Eddie Palmieri Orchestra. His rare salsa baritone combined with witty improvisation endeared him to the Latino public.

Feliciano has recorded numerous salsa and bolero hits and albums, including some under his own Coche Records. He appeared in the first salsa opera, "Hommy," and played Roberto Clemente's father in the musical "Clemente." In 1990, he recorded the bolero album "Los ‘Feelings' de Cheo," and in 2000, "Una Voz, Mil Recuerdos" (One Voice, a Thousand Memories) as a tribute to Puerto Rican singers. In 2008, he won a Grammy for Excellence in Music at the Latin Grammy Awards and was honored for 50 years in music by then-New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who declared June 20 "Cheo Feliciano Day" in the city.

In his song "El Cantante," Héctor Lavoe, another great sonero, improvised the following lyrics: "Mis saludos a Celia, Rivera, Feliciano, esos sí son grandes cantores ... escucha bien su cantar, aprende de los mejores," paying homage to Cheo while putting him in some pretty fast company, namely Celia Cruz and Ismael Rivera.

Feliciano is known as one of the greats for various reasons: an ability to improvise that ranks him with some of the nimblest vocalists in Afro-Latin music history; a streetwise flavor that puts edges on many numbers; a poetic lyricism few romantic singers can match; a versatility unique, even among soneros, that enables him to sing in myriad rhythms and formats; and a creativity evident in his classics, "El Ratón" and "Como Ríen."

Enjoy a fun evening in Jorgensen's Cabaret nightclub setting, with candlelit tables and an open dance floor. Latino dinner fare and desserts are available for purchase, as well as a cash bar, and music that is high-octane hot. Semi-formal attire is required. Doors open at 7 pm. Tickets are $25, $30 and $35. For tickets and information, call the Box Office 11 am-5 pm, Mon-Fri at 860.486.4226, or order online at jorgensen.uconn.edu. Free, convenient parking is available across the street in the North Garage.