MORRISTOWN — Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with mariachi master Jose Hernandez and his Sol de Mexico orchestra at Mayo Performing Arts Center, Monday, May 4 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $19 to $59.
Jóse Hernàndez' Mariachi Sol de Mexico 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, Hernàndez built on that foundation to grow mariachi music in new lands, in new musical genres, and in the hearts of new audiences.
After forming Mariachi Sol de Mexico in 1981, Hernàndez' charismatic arrangements and signature trumpet playing made the group an instant and lasting success: Sol de Mexico 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.
"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," Hernàndez says.
Indeed, the theatrical aspect of Sol de Mexico's performances has been an attraction to Hollywood for soundtracks, where he has provided music since the 1980's. In fact, Sol de Mexico's music recently was featured in the movie "Glory Road" and in Academy Award nominated "Seabiscuit."
Also under Hernàndez' guiding hands, the art form has taken on many other successful, fun and creative styles — bringing more generations into the mariachi family. He created 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 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 Mexico has played alongside stars such as Vicente Fernandez. Selena, Jose Feliciano and a record-breaking concert tour with the one and only Luis Miguel. Hernàndez' records have been nominated for multiple Grammy awards and it is a tribute to the impact of Jose that Sol de Mexico was invited to play at the inaugural Latin Grammy Awards.
"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 2S 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," Hernàndez said.
The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets or more information contact the box office at 973-539-8008 or www.mayoarts.org.