This festive celebration of Mexican and American holiday traditions is back by popular demand!
Courtesy photo.
SUMMARY
- UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Mariachi Sol de México performing José Hernández’ Merry-Achi Christmas
- Wed, Dec 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Arlington Theatre
- The fan favorite mariachi group is back by popular demand for another year of masterful mariachi music and holiday magic
- Led by the foremost mariachi virtuoso, José Hernández
- Spread holiday cheer to someone in need. A&L is partnering with the United Way of Santa Barbara County for United Way’s 2023 Holiday Gift Drive. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or gift card ($25 suggested amount) to donate!
- $65 / $55 / $40 / $25 / $10 UCSB students and youth (18 and under) (an Arlington facility fee will be added to each ticket price)
- Tickets & Info: www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu or call (805) 893-3535. Tickets are also available through the Arlington box office at (805) 963-4408 and AXS (https://www.axs.com/venues/2330/arlington-theatre-santa-barbara-tickets)
“To believe in mariachi means having a passion for life itself.” – Jóse Hernández
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Mariachi Sol de México on Wednesday, December 6 at 7 p.m. at The Arlington Theatre.Led by one of the foremost masters of mariachi music, José Hernández, Mariachi Sol de México returns for a festive celebration of Mexico’s Christmas traditions. Experience holiday magic in a performance that includes elements of Las Posadas alongside traditional Christmas carols. Mariachi Sol de México has performed for five U.S. presidents and shared the stage with artists ranging from the Beach Boys to Lady Gaga.
Mariachi Sol de México presents José Hernández’ Merry-Achi Christmas (trailer)
ABOUT MARIACHI SOL DE MÉXICO
Part of the romance of Mariachi songs 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 five generations of mariachi musicians that hail from La Sierra del Tigre region of Jalisco, Hernández built on that foundation to grow mariachi music in new lands, in new musical genres and in the hearts of new audiences.
Unprecedented, unrivaled and uninhibited, the impact of José Hernández and his Sol de Mexico on mariachi and all music is undeniable. After forming Mariachi Sol de México in 1981, Hernández’ charismatic arrangements and signature trumpet playing made the group an instant and lasting success: Sol de México has played to sold out halls from New York’s Lincoln Center to Viña del Mar in Santiago, Chile. Not only were they the first mariachi group to play concerts in Beijing, China and Pyongyang, North Korea; the shows were sold out! They have also played for four U.S. presidents (Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush), including performances at the White House!
Right from the start, Hernández has been an innovator, as evidenced by creating a cohesive collaboration with symphonies throughout the United States. The marriage of the styles is so seamless that it seems natural now. “Everybody in Latin America serenades their girlfriend or their wife with mariachi music – because they see it in the movies. But it has evolved so much over the last 20 years it’s almost like a classical art form,” Hernández says.
Indeed, the theatrical aspect of Sol de México’s performances has been an attraction to Hollywood for soundtracks, where Hernández has provided music since the 1980s. The group’s music was featured in the movie Glory Road and in the Academy Award-nominated film Seabiscuit.
Also under Hernández’ guiding hands, the art form has taken on many other successful, fun and creative styles – bringing more generations into the mariachi family. He created Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, America’s first all-female mariachi ensemble. In 1991 he formed a children’s music foundation, the Mariachi Heritage Society, because the importance of maintaining the spirit of culture is only equaled by the importance of giving children the tools for success in any endeavor.
The versatility of Sol de México 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 Fernandez, Selena, Jose Feliciano and a record-breaking concert tour with the one and only Luis Miguel. Hernández’ records have been nominated for multiple Grammy awards, and it is a tribute to his impact that Sol de México was invited to play at the inaugural Latin Grammy Awards.
But more than awards and credits, it is the passion and love of the mariachi tradition that courses through Hernández’ veins into audiences’ hearts. Although he has played for heads of state, it is not surprising to see Hernández perform at his famous mariachi restaurant, Cielito Lindo. Arranging and writing mariachi music is a legacy that he respects and loves.
“I am a fifth-generation mariachi musician – my dad came here in the 1940s when there was one place in Los Angeles that had mariachi music and the band had to pay the restaurant owner 25 cents per song to make up for the lost jukebox quarter. But my father always said that the day mariachi music is work is the day you die.”
…Que Viva Mariachi indeed!
ABOUT JOSÉ HERNÁNDEZ
José Hernández envisioned a mariachi ensemble to reflect the passion of the rich cultural heritage to which he belonged. When he created Mariachi Sol de México in 1981, he set the Latin musical world afire with new original rhythms, sounds and ideas. Activating this vision has enabled him to truly live as a link to the mariachi medium.
An internationally recognized musician, composer and educator, José Hernández continues to break boundaries in the world of mariachi.
A fifth-generation mariachi, Hernández brings the pleasure of mariachi music to audiences all across the globe. He is the founder of two world-famous mariachi bands: Mariachi Sol de México and Reyna de Los Angeles, America’s first all-female professional mariachi band.
Hernández continues to advance the art of mariachi with daring new compositions and arrangements. He has composed, arranged and provided music for 15 Sol de México albums. He sings and plays trumpet, violin, guitarrón and vihuela, and has performed in some of the most renowned venues around the world. He has recorded with the most respected and recognized names in the industry including Selena, Vicente Fernandez, Luis Miguel, Bryan Adams and the Beach Boys, and has received four Grammy nominations.
Hernández’ musical inspirations are rich and diverse, ranging from Leonard Bernstein to Augustine Lara, Glenn Miller to José Alfredo Jimenez. One of his proudest achievements is establishing the Sol de México symphony orchestra, bringing this powerful and vibrant sound to mariachi lovers around the world.
An impassioned ambassador of mariachi music, he is working hard to inspire and empower the next generation of musicians through the educational initiatives he has developed: the Mariachi Nationals and Summer Institute and the Mariachi Heritage Society.
ABOUT UCSB ARTS & LECTURES
Founded in 1959, UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) is the largest and most influential arts and lectures organization between Los Angeles and San Francisco. A&L annually presents more than a hundred public events, from critically acclaimed concerts and dance performances by world-renowned artists to talks by groundbreaking authors and film series at UCSB and Santa Barbara-area venues. With a mission to “educate, entertain and inspire,” A&L also oversees an outreach program that brings visiting artists and speakers into local classrooms and other venues for master classes, open rehearsals, discussions and more, serving K-12 students, college students and the general public.
Mariachi Sol de México is presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures.
Special thanks: Radio Bronco 107.7, La Musical 94.5 FM, El Latino and Noozhawk
Spread holiday cheer to someone in need. A&L is partnering with the United Way of Santa Barbara County for United Way’s 2023 Holiday Gift Drive. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or gift card ($25 suggested amount) to donate!
For tickets or more information, call UCSB Arts & Lectures at (805) 893-3535 or purchase online at www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu.
Tickets are also available through the Arlington box office at (805) 963-4408 and AXS (https://www.axs.com/venues/2330/arlington-theatre-santa-barbara-tickets).
UCSB Arts & Lectures gratefully acknowledges our Community Partners the Natalie Orfalea Foundation & Lou Buglioli for their generous support of the 2023-2024 season.