Mariachis Review in the Regional Traditions Guide

Mariachi has long been the living expression of Mexican popular music. Several theories exist on its origins. One theory suggests that the word mariachi originated from the French word “marriage” in 18th century. Another claims that the word represents the wooden platform where the musicians stand. Nevertheless, the most recent evidence suggests the mariachi predates the arrival of the French in Mexico; that it actually originates from the language of the pre-hispanic natives back in 1500s.

Today, the meaning is extended to include the costumes, the music and the instruments. In the state of Jalisco, and all along the pacific coast, Mariachi includes local indigenous peoples and European-Spaniards. Violins, guitars,

Mariachi Jaque Mate (Check Mate)

Enrique Macedo: Trumpet and Backup Vocals.
Eric Díaz: Guitar and 1st Vocals
Ramiro Lupercio: String Bass and 2nd Vocals

How long have you been together?
Fifteen years.

*In Puerto Vallarta, is Mariachi a tradition or just a show for tourists?*
It is a tradition, a tradition that existed long before tourism. It is an inheritance of generation after generation and represents Mexico anywhere in the world. The mariachi is the symbol of Mexico.

What does Mariachi mean to you?
“It makes me proud because it means I can represent Mexico anywhere in the world”.

What are the three key elements of Mariachi?

• The set of buttons, everything what adorns the suit. It is the full dress ‘charro’ suit.
• Bow Tie; they have a unique shape and must be a bright color.
• The boots and the belt; they must be short leather boots with straight heel and the detailing of the belt must be made from maguey, a plants from which the fibers are used to embroider the design; as it is white, the color is more flashy.

What are the three most important instruments of Mariachi?

• Guitar
• Trumpet
• Violins

What is the minimum number of Mariachi band members?
From nine up.

What are the most requested songs?

• "La Negra (The Black)
• "El Jarabe Tapatío” (The Mexican Hat Dance)
• "Paloma Negra” (The Black Dove)
• "El Rey” (The King)

Does the Seranade live on?
“Yes it still lives on, although not like before. For a small town Mariachi is expensive, so it is not so common now to hire a serenade”.

Rates: $2,500 pesos per hour.
Perform at:
Hotel Paladium
Mon, Wed and Fri 8:30pm -12:30am
Las Palomas Malecón
Thursdays to Saturdays, for the night

Mariachi Arriba México

Alberto Joya: Guitar
Damián Luperza: Vihuela (Lute)
Ignacio Gómez: String Bass
Arturo Flores: 1st Trumpet

How long have you been together?
“Nine years”

*In Puerto Vallarta, is Mariachi a tradition or just a show for tourists?*
“Both; to the tourist it is enchanting to come to see the Mexican fiestas, the Mariachi.
The people of Puerto Vallarta like Banda music more than Mariachi; these days the tourists create more demand”.

What does mariachi mean to you?
“Before the term was derogatory, synonymous with idiots. Now it brings pride because it represents our roots; the feeling of a small Mexican town”.

What are the three key elements of Mariachi?

• The Charro Suit
• The Sombrero
• The Feeling

What are the three most important instruments of Mariachi?

• String Bass
• Vihuela (Lute)
• Trumpet

What is the minimum number of Mariachi band members?
Ten members

What are the most requested songs?
* “Ella” (She)
* “El rey” (The King)
* “Cielito lindo” (Beautiful Sky)
* “Volver, volver” (Come Back, Come Back)

Does the Seranade live on?
“It lives”

Rates:
$3.500 pesos per hour (the cost changes in relation to the distance of the event).
Perform at:
El Mariachi Loco
Tues-Sat10:30pm or later

Mariachi Guadalajara

Pablo Colmenares (Founder): Violin
Alexander Salcedo: Trumpet
David Rodriguez: Trumpet
Internode Gomez: Violin
Doroteo Lorenzo: Violin
Jose Luis González: Violin
Stolen Juan: Vihuela (Lute)
Manuel Rodriguez: Guitar
Anselmo Palomera: Guitar
Alfredo Delgadillo: String Bass

How long have you been together?
“Fifteen years”.

*In Puerto Vallarta, is Mariachi a tradition or just a show for tourists?*
“In Puerto Vallarta it is a luxury and for the tourist an attraction”.

What does mariachi mean to you?
“It is something in the blood. We have inherited it. It has given an identity us at an international level”.

What are the three key elements of Mariachi?

• Hat
• The Charro Suit
• Instrument

What are the three most important instruments of Mariachi?

• Violin
• String Bass
• Vihuela (Lute)

What is the minimum number of Mariachi band members?
“Nine members”.

What are the most requested songs?

• “El Negro” (The Black)
• “Cielito Lindo” (Beautiful Sky)

Does the Seranade live on?
“It is alive because people continue to fall in love just as before. For serenades us Mexicans! Also after drinks, when leaving the bar, many people look for the mariachi to be serenaded or to blow off steam”.

Rates:
$3,500 pesos by 45 minutes (in Puerto Vallarta); $5,000 (in New Vallarta).
Perform at:
El Andariego
Fri-Sun 7:00pm
El Mariachi Loco
Sun and Mon 10:30pm-11:20pm
Las Palmas
Mexican Night: Tues and Thu 7:00pm -10:00pm

Mariachi Nuevo Azteca

Angel Palomera: Violin
Teodoro Vargas: Guitar
Ignacio Marcial: String Bass
Ruined Hernandez: Vihuela (Lute)
Miguel Cruz: 1st Trumpet
Luis Alberto Palomera: 2nd.Trumpet

How long have you been together?
“Twelve years”.

*In Puerto Vallarta, is Mariachi a tradition or just a show for tourists?*
“It continues to be a tradition. Tourism really appreciates it. In Mexican culture Mariachi comes before everything. Mexicans really value Mariachi”.

What does mariachi mean to you?
“We are born with the culture of Mariachi. It is an art, it is the representation of our customs and at the same time it is necessary work for many Mexicans. Musicians are born and are proud to wear the Charro suit, as a cultural and family inheritance”.

What are the three key elements of Mariachi?

• The Bow Tie
• The Charro Suit
• The Sombrero

What are the three most important instruments of Mariachi?

• String Bass
• Vihuela (Lute)
• Violin

What is the minimum number of Mariachi band members?
“Eight and up: two trumpets, three violins, a guitar, string bass and a vihuela”.

What are the most requested songs?
* “Paloma negra” (Black Dove)
* “Caminos de Michoacán” (The Roads of Michoacán)
* “El jarabe tapatío” (The Mexican Hat Dance)
* Polcas (Polkas)

Does the Seranade live on?
“The serenade has died. The young people no longer know it. The conquest is no longer the same. Now only you see them by the Malecon or at fiestas. It is already lost”.

Rates:
$2,500 pesos per hour
Perform at:
Tequilas Café
Fri-Sunday 8:00pm-11:00pm
El Andariego
Tues-Thur 6:00pm

Mariachi Popular

Jose Guadalupe Flores: Guitar
Prisciliano Rodriguez: Vihuela (Lute)
Sebastián Lupercio: String Bass
Jose Alonso Rodriguez: Violin
Cristóbal Verdusco: Violin
Hieronymite Perez: Violin
Rafael Vázquez: Trumpet
Prisciliano Rodriguez: Trumpet
Jose de Jesus Rodriguez: Trumpet

How long have you been together?
“30 years”

*In Puerto Vallarta, is Mariachi a tradition or just a show for tourists?*
“It is a tradition. In Vallarta it has been for more than 50 years”.

What does mariachi mean to you?
“It is a gift. You must be dedicated with a lot of practice to represent Mexico anywhere in the world. The Mariachi is appreciated even more abroad than right here. It is the family inheritance of many and mainly their taste in music”.

What are the three key elements of Mariachi?

• Sombrero
• Bow Tie
• The Charro Suit

What are the three most important instruments of Mariachi?

• String Bass
• Vihuela (Lute)
• Violin

Minimum of members to recognize a Mariachi?
“With seven elements we can already consider it a complete Mariachi band”.

What are the most requested songs?

• “El rey” (The King)
• “Cucurrucucú”
• “El Mariachi loco” (The Crazy Mariachi)

Does the Seranade live on?
“The serenade has already died. Now with so many new sounds like banda and norteña; it’s no longer the same. There is great variety of genres. There are no longer serenades like before”.

Rates:
$4,000 pesos for 45 minutes; Minimum $3,300 for 45 minutes.
Perform at:
The Iguana
Thu and Sun 8:00pm-10:00pm
Fri-Sat 11:30pm-2:30am
La Joya de Mismaloya
Mon 8:00pm-10:00pm
Villa del Palmar
Tue 7:30pm-4:00am
Crucero Pride
Wed 7:30pm-10:00pm

Mariachi Nuevo Imperial

Fidel Lupercio Hernandez (Rep. and Director): Violin
Ernesto Lupercio Quiñones: Violin
Oscar Lupercio Quiñones: Violin
Fidel Lupercio (son): Violin
Héctor Lupercio Quiñones: Violin
Jorge Leonel Quiñones: Violin
Luis Antonio Carrillo Lupercio: Vihuela (Lute)
Esteban Lupercio Rodriguez: String Bass
Jose Stolen Luis: Guitar

How long have you been together?
“Twelve years”

*In Puerto Vallarta, is Mariachi a tradition or just a show for tourists?*
“Both; although the tradition is already being lost mainly among the young people”.

What does mariachi mean to you?
“It is definitely pride; a family inheritance because our grandparents were also musical so we have music in the blood. Also, wearing a Charro Suit is respected wearing a military uniform”.

What are the three key elements of Mariachi?

• Sombrero
• Charro Suit
• Instruments

What are the three most important instruments of Mariachi?

* Violin
* String Bass
* Vihuela (Lute)

What is the minimum number of Mariachi band members?
“Eight to ten members”.

What are the most requested songs?
* “Veracruz”
* “Cielito lindo” (Beautiful Sky)
* “Huapango” de Moncayo
* “Fiesta en Jalisco”
* “The song of La Negra: It is the hymn of Mariachi”.

Does the Seranade live on?
“She is alive. Couples still request serenades for conquest or also for reconciliation”.

Rates:
$3,500 per hour; $3,000 by 45 min. (If they request a us to do a benefit show, we do it free)
Perform at:
Carlos O'Brians
Wed 6:00pm-6:30pm
Sr. Frogs
Wed 7:00pm-7:30pm
La Chata
Mon-Sat 9:00pm-10:30pm