MIDLAND Latin Grammy nominee Jose Hernandez and his mariachi Sol de Mexico will be coming back to the Permian Basin for next week’s Merry Achi Christmas Concert.
The concert, which is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center, will bring a taste of both a latin style of music mixed in with well-known Christmas favorites.
Hernandez last performed in Midland about four years ago and his band is hopeful of coming back to perform each year in the area.
“Taking our mariachi Christmas show to Midland is going to be great,” Hernandez said. “It’s been a while since we’ve been there. We’re hoping our show turns into a tradition like so many other cities in Texas, California and Oregon. We’re very excited.”
The program will showcase the ensemble’s musicianship, playing mariachi favorites as well as the most beloved holiday tracks including Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, performed mariachi-style.
“Being able to perform the repertoire that we do for this Christmas show is unique for the audience,” Hernandez said. “We do a lot of traditional songs. We also push the limits like do the nutcracker and do a tribute to Tchaikovsky and sometimes people will be like ‘what?’ But then they hear the classical pieces with mariachi music and most of the guys are well-trained, musically so it’s stuff that we can handle. It’s really fun to play.”
The Mariachi Sol de Mexico’s roster includes Hernandez, founder and director Jorge Contreras and Moises Ortiz all on trumpets along with Adrian Grijalva, Gustavo Pena, Isau Arellano, Deni Morales, Fernando Moreno and Guadalupe Gonzalez who will be on violins, Jorge Flores, Alejandro Ascencio and Jose “Pepe” Perez on strings and Guillermo Acuna who will be playing harp.
Hernandez said audience members can expect a wide variety of music in a fast-paced show.
“There are a lot of songs from Mexico and a few tributes to the great composers and singers from Mexico as well as a Spanish version of The Little Drummer Boy and Silver Bells and it’s just really neat to celebrate Christmas,” Hernandez said. “It’s a show that’s always moving, musically. The two hours that people will be there will go by so fast not only for them but for us. It’s fun to play this show.”
The group recently received their 12th Latin Grammy nomination for their latest album “40 Aniversario Embajadores del Mariachi” (40th Anniversary Mariachi Ambassadors) which is a collection of classic rancheras from the ensemble’s 40-year history.
While they didn’t win at last month’s Latin Grammys, the mariachi still enjoyed getting to perform at the awards ceremony in Las Vegas, NV.
“It was really exciting,” Hernandez said. “We’ve been nominated a bunch of times as a group. The first time we got nominated was in 2001 and we were the first mariachi group nominated as a soloist. Before, the mariachis were seen an accompaniment for the lead singer.”
Case in point, Hernandez worked with Linda Ronstadt win a Grammy for her mariachi album in the late 80s.
“We were a part of that,” Hernandez said. “We were the background for her. It was great in 1988. The Grammys were in 1989. She got the Grammy but we were part of the four groups that I sort of coordinated, musically, to accompany her and it was pretty amazing. It was pretty unique to be a part of that project. I was the musical coordinator of that project and her vocal coach through the whole album. It was a great experience working with her and making sure she pronounced the words correctly.”
Coming off the group’s 40th anniversary milestone, Hernandez says he’s excited about how far mariachis have come.
“We started in 1981 and now here we are 41 years later being nominated for our 40th anniversary album,” Hernandez said. “Seeing the difference from those days, we used to own a family restaurant and that’s like the best mariachis could do, play at their own place. … if you toured it would be just backing up a singer.”
But now a days, Hernandez has seen ho much mariachi travels. The ensemble has played around the world from China to England to Spain.
“It’s incredible,” Hernandez said. “We’ve seen all different types of audiences and how passionate our music is that it touches people who enjoy good music. It doesn’t matter the genre. They just enjoy music that is well-played. It’s incredible how far the music has come.”
For tickets and more information about the performance, go to tinyurl.com/2cp8xre3.
If you go
>> What: Sol de Mexico’s Merry Achi Christmas Concert
>> When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14
>> Where: Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center
>> Where to purchase tickets: tinyurl.com/2cp8xre3
