The multi award-winning Mariachi Nuevo Santander is proud to announce the international release of their third studio album, Sangre Mariachera, on all music streaming platforms including iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon Music. Hailing from the renowned Roma ISD Mariachi Program, Mariachi Nuevo Santander began work on their latest project in late 2019 at the mariachi studio located inside of the Roma ISD Performing Arts Center. Under the direction of Eloy Garza, Sangre Mariachera was recorded 100% by the members of Mariachi Nuevo Santander and saw its production wrapped up prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally set to be released prior to the end of the 2019-2020 school year, the pandemic delayed the album’s release date.
What is Sangre Mariachera?
When you first hear or read the phrase sangre mariachera, words like strength and pride immediately come to mind. The title track from the album, Sangre Mariachera is an original piece written for Nuevo Santander with music and lyrics from their director Eloy Garza. Recorded in conjunction with the groups “Tema”, the three minute long piece kicks off the album while featuring tremendous musicianship and vocals. Written in the style of a traditional Son Jalisciense, Sangre Mariachera is dedicated to the passion and pride that fills the heart with emotion when you put on the traje de charro and perform for the world.
“The inspiration for Sangre Mariachera happened when the group traveled to Los Angeles in 2017 for the second round of AGT (America’s Got Talent). The kids were there playing their instruments and coming up with new music and one of the administrators who accompanied us on the trip turned to me and said “estos huercos tienen puro sangre mariachera” (these kids have mariachi in their blood). Afterwards, the phrase “sangre mariachera” stuck with me and I decided to write something which would describe that exact feeling, that when our kids perform this is the sentiment projected at each performance. We are “sangre mariachera” and that is how I was inspired to write the music and lyrics for the song” Garza said.
With lyrics like “tengo sangre, sangre mariachera que me exalta y me llena de emocion” it is easy to see exactly what mariachi music means to so many throughout the world.
The Album
With a track list tailor made to show off the strengths of the group, Sangre Mariachera is a well-rounded album that includes 11 tracks with well-known songs from artists and composers such as Juan Gabriel, Vicente Fernandez, José José and Joan Sebastian. The wide range of styles recorded on the album include sones jalisciences, boleros, huapangos, boleros ritmicos, joropos, polkas and also features two award-winning competition pieces from their performances at the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza. Filled with original arrangements by director Eloy Garza, the songs on this album feature Nuevo Santander’s extensive variety of musical talent coupled with multiple instrument solos, individual singers and vocal trios/quartets from both male and female vocalists. The outstanding musicianship the listened will hear is simply awe inspiring yet even more impressive are the capability of these musicians to execute this caliber of recording in a studio at such a young age.
Sangre Mariachera includes:
1. Tema-Sangre Mariachera (Eloy Garza)
Style: Son Jalisciense
Singers: Arely Molina, Anyssa Renteria, Ernesto Saldaña, Marielena Chapa
2. Estos Celos (Jose Manuel Figueroa)
Style: Bolero Ritmico
Singer: Héctor Ramírez III
3. Popurrí de Sones (El Toro Viejo/El Relámpago/El Súchil) (Rubén Fuentes)
Style: Son Jalisciense
Singers: Héctor Ramírez III, Francisco Garcia Jr., Arely Molina, Ernesto Saldaña
4. Carmentea (Miguel Angel Martín)
Style: Joropo
Singer: Ernesto Saldaña
5. Lo Que Un Día Fue No Será (José Maria Napoleón)
Style: Bolero
Singers: Francisco Garcia Jr., Ernesto Saldaña, Jacob Cruz, Arely Molina, Julie Hernandez, Alexia Aguillon, Anyssa Renteria
6. Con Todo y Mi Tristeza (Juan Gabriel)
Style: Bolero Ritmico / Huapango
Singers: Arely Molina, Julie Hernandez, Anyssa Renteria
7. La Goyita (Victoriano Luque)
Style: Polka
Trumpets: Andres Barrientos, Juan Garcia Jr.
8. Sin El (Marco Antonio Solís)
Style: Bolero Ritmico / Huapango
Singer: Arely Molina
9. Como Quien Pierde Una Estrella (Humerto Estrada)
Style: Bolero Ritmico
Singers: Ernesto Saldaña, Arely Molina, Anyssa Renteria
10. Si Te Vas (José Cuevas)
Style: Bolero
Singer: Francisco Garcia, Jr.
11. Amo Esta Tierra (Felipe Bojalil)
Style: Joropo
Singer: Francisco Garcia Jr., Arely Molina, Marielena Chapa, Anyssa Renteria, Adriana Martínez, Alexia Aguillon, Julie Hernandez
Musical Arranger & Production Director: Eloy Garza
After listening to this album one thing is certain, Nuevo Santander exude both passion and alegria throughout each track. Garza himself has described mariachi as giving him a chance to inspire and make a difference in the lives of his students and to be able to create success through the art of mariachi education. From year one of entering into the mariachi program in 6th grade all the way until their senior year in high school, the musicians of the Roma ISD Mariachi Program are taught to be proud of their culture while instilling in them good discipline and hard work in their academic and day-to-day lives, excellent musicianship, a family culture, and above all morals that they will be able to carry with them forever.
Sangre Mariachera is available for digital purchase and streaming on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon Music with all proceeds from the album going back into the Roma ISD Mariachi Program to continue to help these phenomenal musicians grow and flourish as artists. To purchase a physical copy of Sangre Mariachera contact Eloy Garza at egarza1@romaisd.com or inquire via social media on the @RomaISDMariachiProgram Facebook and Instagram.
About Mariachi Nuevo Santander
With 26 years of musical excellence to their name, Mariachi Nuevo Santander was established in 1994 under the direction of Yamil Yuñes. In 2013, former Roma High School alum Eloy Garza was approached to take the helms of the Roma ISD Mariachi Program and quickly re-established the high caliber standards for which Roma is known for. Under Garza, the program has become one of the most elite and recognized mariachi programs in the nation and has won multiple national titles including six national titles at the annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza.
Mariachi Nuevo Santander has performed throughout the U.S. in Albuquerque, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Ashland, Atlanta and most recently in Ann Arbor. They have also opened for and shared the stage with elite mariachi groups such as Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández, Mariachi América de Jesús Rodríguez de Hijar and the world’s best mariachi Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. Previously they have released two albums: 20th Anniversary, Heart, Pride & Passion in 2014 and 25th Aniversario, Corazón, Orgullo y Tradición recorded in 2018 and now also count 2019’s Sangre Mariachera amongst their achievements. Through the support of their school district, community and fans, after 26 years Mariachi Nuevo Santander continues to spread their passion for mariachi music through their motto “one program, one family, one tradition”.
Mariachi Nuevo Santander are:
Violins: Ernesto Saldaña, Héctor Ramirez III, Arely Molina, Anyssa Renteria, Adriana Martinez*, Alexia Aguillón, Julie Hernández, Francisco Garcia, Jr.
Trumpets: Andrés Barrientos, Juan Garcia Jr., Adriana Martinez*
Harp: Jacob Cruz
Guitarrón: Sebastián Pérez
Vihuela: Cesar Ríos
Guitars: Héctor Zúñiga, Marielena Chapa
Eloy Garza, Director of Mariachi Nuevo Santander
Eloy Garza is originally from Roma TX and graduated from Roma High School on the year 2000. During his years in high school, he was part of the award-winning band under the musical direction of Mr. Alfredo Cortinas and was also part of the award-winning mariachi, under the direction of Mr. Yamil Yunes. Eloy then after graduating from high school pursued his career in music from The University of Texas Pan-American receiving his bachelor’s degree in Art in Music Education. During his career, Eloy Garza became part of the award-winning UTPA Mariachi Aztlan. As a member of the mariachi, Eloy had the opportunity to share the stage with many famous singers and some of the best-renowned mariachi groups in the world such as Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández. Throughout these opportunities and experiences, many doors opened for Eloy, making his dream come true as a musician. In 2005 Eloy was invited to play trumpet and tour with the world-renown, Grammy Nominated, Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández to accompany Latin Grammy winner Luis Miguel across the US, México, and South America. After touring for 3 1/2 years and gaining much knowledge and experience in mariachi, Eloy then decided to pursue his career in public education and share his life-time experiences teaching young students the beauty of mariachi music. He was then hired as the mariachi director, at the Rio Grande CISD from 2005-2013, where he was known for generating many 1st place awards and recognitions to be one of the top mariachi programs in the nation, helping him later create his own mariachi curriculum. Eloy Garza was then hired to be the head mariachi director at his alma mater, Roma ISD in 2013 to present. He then, in such a short period of time, rebuilt and led the Roma ISD program now to be one of the top and most respected mariachi programs, at the middle school and high school level, nationwide. Eloy Garza loves what he does and his ultimate goal is to make his profession, his passion, a legacy of making a difference in the lives of students, creating student success through the art of mariachi music.
Sangre Mariachera Testimonials
“Mariachi Nuevo Santander released their latest album that features outstanding arrangements with its lush violins supporting the sound of crisp trumpets . The musicians are phenomenal and the performance are highly enjoyable. I recommend listening to Lo Que Un Fue Sera, a personal favorite.”
-Dr. Stan Renard, Master Violinist, Coordinator of Music Marketing Program, The University of Texas at San Antonio
We at MPR would like to wish everyone the best but most of all we wish everyone good health and safety during todays current world climate. Please continue to stay safe by exercising the necessary COVID-19 precautions and helping to better the situation. We continue to hope for speedy recoveries and send well wishes to all of those who have been affected by the virus. Everyone is in our thoughts and we can’t wait until the day when we can all gather again to enjoy the beautiful mariachi music that helps us stay connected to each other.
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