Sol De Mexico to perform a Cinco de Mayo concert
The cheerful strains of violins, trumpets and guitars will fill Segerstrom Center for the Arts when Sol De Mexico performs a Cinco de Mayo concert.
The traveling ensemble is headed by fifth-generation mariachi maestro Jose Hernandez, who founded the group in 1981. Sol de Mexico became among the first mariachi bands to be nominated for a Grammy. It has played for five presidents and performed original rhythms and traditional sounds all over the world.
Hernandez, a Newport Beach resident, wants to share Mexico’s authentic music heritage with concertgoers and educate young people of all cultures to appreciate mariachi.
“We’re so thankful to this country to be able to fulfill our dreams and share the music of our country with others,” Hernandez said. “It’s been such a great ride.”
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The concert falls on Cinco de Mayo — or the fifth of May — a date that commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. Though a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the U.S. it has evolved as a day of celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, with parades, street festivals and mariachi performers.
Hernandez, who began performing mariachi with his five brothers at age 3, and his 13-member concert mariachi ensemble play a variety of sounds, from traditional Mexican folk to classical to pop music. The group’s most recent recording, “La Musica, Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez con La Sinfonica Nacional de Las Americas,” was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2013.
The Segerstrom Center will offer free preshow activities beginning at 6:45 p.m. Mariachi students will be performing on the Arts Plaza, followed by professional music group Conjunto Tenocelomeh.
Food trucks will be on-site from 6 to 8 p.m.
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What: Sol De Mexico performance
Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
When: Thursday
Cost: Tickets start at $29
Information: Call (714) 556-2787 or visit scfta.org
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Kathleen Luppi, kathleen.luppi@latimes.com
Twitter: @KathleenLuppi
