Festival del Mariachi

Overview

Part of the romance of Mariachi music is that all things are possible. The humor, the spirit, and even the bittersweet, inspire us to a world where we live out our dreams.

In that same way, much of the excitement of José Hernández’ Mariachi Sol de México® is that all things mariachi are possible.

While his family tree is rooted in ve generations of Mariachi musicians that hail from La Sierra del Tigre region of Jalisco, Jóse built on that foundation to grow mariachi music in new territories, musical genres, and in the hearts of new audiences.

Unrivaled and uninhibited, the impact of José Hernández and his Sol de México® on mariachi and all music is undeniable. After forming Mariachi Sol de México® in 1981, José’s charismatic arrangements and rst class musical direction led the group to instant and lasting success: playing in sold out halls from Madison Square Garden to Beijing, China and Pyongyang, North Korea.

Known as the world's premiere Mariachi group – they gained the attention of the White House and have been invited to play for 5 US Presidents from Ronald Reagan to George W. Bush.

From the beginning, Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández made their mark through innovation and fusion of di erent styles of music.

Their ability to blend genres seamlessly is evidenced in their cohesive collaboration with symphonies throughout the United States. Maestro Hernández’s classical arrangements have led to them sharing the stage with symphony orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Santa Rosa Symphony, San Francisco Symphony and Jalisco Symphony.

This magic was captured in their 25th anniversary symphonic album, which led to the rst ever Mariachi Symphony Grammy nomination!

Indeed, the theatrical aspect of Sol de México’s performances has been an attraction to Hollywood for soundtracks, where they have provided music since the 1980’s. Their work can be heard in lms such as Rango, Glory Road, Sea Biscuit , Don Juan de Marco, and many more.

The versatility of Sol de Mexico® to expand to new audiences has led to fabulous, unexpected collaborations, such as with the Beach Boys and Willie Nelson.

Within the world of Latin music, Sol de México® has played alongside stars such as Vicente Fernández, Selena, Jose Feliciano and a record-breaking concert tour with Luis Miguel.

José Hernández has now been nominated for a total of fourteen Grammy awards both Latin and American, between both of his groups, he has also been nominated and recognized as producer by the academy. His most recent album,Romances Eternos received a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Mexican Regional Album.

But more than awards and credits, it is the passion and love of the mariachi tradition that Mariachi Sol de México® upholds. When they are not playing for heads of state or global audiences , they can be

seen locally and equipping a younger generation of musicians through the Mariachi Heritage Society. ¡Que Viva El Mariachi !

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Mercedes Castro "The Voice of Feeling" in Ranchera music and in cinema a single image, the image of Brilliant Success on stage and in her recordings, Mercedes Castro's career already records a total of 85 albums. Versatile, energetic, tender, and brave at the same time, she first recorded with mariachi; then with banda; and even with norteño. In this musical format, her celebrated duets with Chalino Sánchez stand out, a great joint contribution from Discos Musart and Balboa Records that add up to four albums full of songs and corridos that have made history in the Latin market of Mexico and the United States. Gold disc winner for the sales of this collection launched from 2000, Mercedes Castro has also impacted her fans with the presentation of the album where she sings with her friends Joan Sebastian, Cornelio Reyna, Chalino Sánchez and Juan Valentín, among others.

Born on February 26 in Culiacan, Sinaloa, and settled since her childhood in the Coachella Valley, California. She also ventured into Mexican cinema with great blockbuster films, starring, among them "Maldita Miseria", with Juan Valentín, based on a theme and plot written by herself; "El Rey de Los Tahúres", with Mario Almada and Jorge Rivero; and "Victims of Poverty", with Juan Valentín, Roberto ‘El Flaco' Guzmán, and Chelo. Their first great recording and radio success was the ranchera mariachi "Vengo A Verte". Then, she imposed "Vuelve Gaviota", an original song by Juan Záizar, with which she won the Gold Record. Later, her hits "La Tercera Carta" and "Maldita Miseria" emerged, her song that has become one of the most representative of her talent, as she did later, in 1998, with "Yo Soy La De Sonora", her famous response to "Sonora Y Sus Ojos Negros". In terms of discographic recognitions, Mercedes Castro has achieved a total of 10 Gold Records for the volume of her sales. Her presentations in the most important television programs, such as Siempre En Domingo with Raúl Velazco and Al Ritmo De La Noche with Jorge Ortiz De Pinedo, La Movida with Veronica Castro and in the Televisa Ranchero Festival. Dazzled by the temperament and tone of her voice, Cornelio Reyna produced a single in Los Angeles, California and later presented it to the executives of Discos Musart in Mexico City where she recorded most of his great musical career, that was her artistic beginning. Since then - and without interruptions - Mercedes Castro affectionately nicknamed "La Voz del Sentimiento with her album being named "Las Nubes.”

Mercedes Castro comes from a family composed of five brothers, her father Doroteo Castro and her mother Mrs. Petra Castro. When Mercedes turned 10, she moved to the United States and studied until she graduated from High School. Referring to her beginnings, the artist admits that since she was a child, she felt the passion for singing. She sang at family gatherings and in countless competitions for amateurs. “A detail that still makes me very funny is that in one of these events I won first place, and as a prize they gave me a Miguel Aceves Mejía album and a box of soft drinks."

As time advanced Mercedes evolved her style, staying active and demanding more out of herself to get in tune and adapt to the 21st century. One of the avenues Mercedes used was in presentations and tours. In 2007 she is called to be part of the famous tour Duet of Las JILGUERILLAS following the death of Imelda in 2004, in which she remained on the tour until 2021 when Amparo passed away, and where the end of the famous duet of Las Jilguerillas lasted for 14 consecutive years. Currently in 2025 Mercedes Castro has been very successful on the farewell tour Chelo – El Adiós de Una Grande, which celebrates the career of Mexican Mariachi great Chelo. The tour has made many stops all throughout the United States of America, and soon will start touring all throughout Mexico.