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Blog Post
Mariachi Vargas looks quite different today as compared to 25 years ago when the first Extravaganza was produced. In 1995, José “Pepe” Martínez, Sr. was the musical director and Federico Torres and Gustavo Alvarado were the only two trumpet players in the group. Rafael Palomar (Jonathan Palomar’s father) was the only guitarist and Víctor “Pato” Cárdenas was the vihuela player. There were six violins: Manuel Vargas, Francisco “El Pilón” González, Daniel Martínez, José "Pepe" Martínez, Sr., José "Pepe" Martínez, Jr. and Mario de Santiago. Enrique de Santiago played the guitarrón and continues to do so to this day. Today, 25...
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Blog Post
The San Diego, California area hosted its annual mariachi festival from March 8-10, 2019. The four-day event included three days of workshops, concerts, and competitions held at the University of San Diego, culminating in an outdoor oceanside festival held at nearby Bayside Park. Mariachi Los Reyes(Photo by Alejandra Arredondo) Mariachi Los Aventureros(Photo by Alejandra Arredondo) Both headliner groups, Mariachi Los Reyes de Jorge Álvarez and Mariachi Los Aventureros de Juan Rodríguez, were brought in from Los Angeles. Invited artists included trumpet virtuosos Juan Manuel Arpero and Javier Rodríguez, and a magnificent mariachi trio led by renowned violinist and composer Sergio...
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Blog Post
El área de San Diego, California, celebró su festival anual del mariachi del 7 al 10 de marzo de 2019. El evento de cuatro días incluyó tres días de talleres, conciertos y concursos celebrados en la Universidad de San Diego, culminando con un festival al aire libre en el Bayside Park, a un costado de la playa. Mariachi Los Reyes(Foto de Alejandra Arredondo) Mariachi Los Aventureros(Foto de Alejandra Arredondo) Los dos grupos principales del evento, ambos con sede en Los Ángeles, fueron Mariachi Los Reyes de Jorge Álvarez y Mariachi Los Aventureros de Juan Rodríguez. Los artistas invitados incluyeron a...
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Blog Post
Anyone who lives in Texas knows that we're in mariachi competition season right now. Among a slough of these events going on throughout the state, one of the most exciting is the one hosted by the University of Texas Río Grande Valley (UTRGV) under the name FESTIBA (February 25 - March 3). Now in its 13th year, FESTIBA promotes literacy, culture and the arts while recognizing and honoring individuals and organizations who have significantly touched, enriched and impacted lives in the community. The highlight of this celebration is the Mariachi Festival spearheaded by Dr. Dahlia Guerra, UTRGV Assistant Vice-President for Public Art,...
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Blog Post
Who isn’t familiar with the beverage known as tequila? Many of us are also familiar with the town of the same name, but how many of us know about its musical tradition? A charming village about 30 miles southeast of Guadalajara, Tequila is located in the heart of Jalisco’s blue agave region. This cactus has been distilled into the famous alcoholic beverage since the 17th century. But while the drink is extensively documented and researched, just eight years ago no one had yet studied the impressive musical tradition of this town. That is, until María Alicia Rodríguez Pérez embarked on...
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Blog Post
¿Quién no conoce la bebida llamada tequila? Muchos conocemos también el pueblo del mismo nombre, ¿pero cuántos sabemos de su tradición musical? Un pueblo encantador a unos 50 kilómetros al sureste de Guadalajara, Tequila se ubica en el corazón de la región jalisciense del agave azúl, cactácea del que se ha elaborado esta mundialmente famosa bebida desde el siglo XXVII. Pero mientras la bebida sea ampliamente documentada e investigada, hace apenas unos ocho años aún nadie había estudiado la gran tradición musical de este pueblo, hasta que María Alicia Rodríguez Pérez embarcó sobre esta tarea. Lic. Ma. Alicia...
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkxVAHq8XjM Fifteen year old Jizelle Rodríguez is doing well. The Kyle, Texas native was placed in the limelight when her excellent interpretation of “El Jaripeo” earned her the prestigious Grand Champion Vocalist award during the 23rd annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza in December 2017. Jizelle was selected from more than 40 vocal competitors by members of the world-renowned Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. Jizelle's interpretation of "El Jaripeo" is right on target with the original composer's objective in writing a 'son' that captures the beauty, the spirit and the traditions of the Mexican Rodeo. The 'son' is the most traditional style...
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Blog Post
As members of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán come and go over the years, they may never quite realize just how much impact they have on our lives here in the United States. Not only do they inspire and influence students and entertain audiences beyond belief, but they help shape our American culture as we know it. This is certainly the case with longtime Mariachi Vargas harpist Julio Martínez, who will officially retire from the group this December. As Julio wraps up his 23rd and final year with Vargas, he will participate in one last performance with the greatest mariachi in...
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Blog Post
Este diciembre, después de más de 22 años con el Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, Julio Martínez se despide para siempre de “El Mejor Mariachi del Mundo”. Dentro del concierto del Mariachi Vargas del viernes, 2 de diciembre de 2017, en el Lila Cockrell Theatre de San Antonio, el festival Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza reconocerá a Julio por sus grandes aportaciones al Mariachi Vargas y al arte de tocar el arpa en el mariachi. En la entrevista a continuación, Julio nos platica sobre su estancia en el Mariachi Vargas, del papel del arpa dentro del mariachi y de sus planes para el...
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Blog Post
This December, after more than 22 years with Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, Julio Martinez will bid his final farewell to “The World’s Greatest Mariachi.” As part of the Mariachi Vargas concert on Friday, December 2, 2017, at San Antonio’s Lila Cockrell Theatre, the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza will acknowledge Julio for his vast contributions to Mariachi Vargas and to the art of the mariachi harp. In the following interview, Julio talks about his tenure in Mariachi Vargas, the role of the harp in mariachi music, and his plans for the future. Julio with Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán Jonathan...
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