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Latin Grammy-nominated Mariachi Herencia de México has dropped their version of the Andy Williams‘ Christmas classic “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”–in English but in mariachi style.

Composed by young people from Chicago, the group recreates the classic theme with a fresh and modern sound in one of the most popular Mexican regional subgenres.

“We are excited to release our own version of this Christmas classic,” says Rubén Núñez, lead vocalist and trumpeter for the band. We made this version for everyone to enjoy, no matter where you are from or how old you are, everyone loves Christmas.”

One of the most popular holiday songs “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” was composed by Eddie Pola and George Wyle, which was originally recorded and released in 1963 by pop singer Williams. The song ranks among Billboard “Top 10 Holiday Songs” as well as the top holiday songs with most radio airplay as reported by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, ASCAP. 

For its version of this Christmas classic, Mariachi Herencia de México collaborated with the band’s musical director Rigoberto Alfaro, A Grammy Award winner who made original arrangements for recording of hits by major Mexican artists, including “El Rey” by José Alfredo Jiménez, “Me Caí de La Nube” by Cornelio Reyna, “La Bikina” by Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and “¿De Qué Manera Te Olvido?” and “Por Tu Maldito Amor” by Vicente Fernandez. Alfaro has also made arrangements for top-selling artists such as Alejandro Fernández, Rocío Dúrcal, Juan Gabriel, Pepe Aguilar, Lola Beltrán and Joan Sebastián.

“Maestro Alfaro wrote a beautiful arrangement that combines traditional mariachi music references with the timeless pop sound of the original recording,” says Melanie Juárez, lead vocalist and guitarist of the band from Chicago. “The song has such a happy and uplifting vibe, which is exactly what we wanted to share with our fans this holiday season.”

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” features a duet by Núñez and Juárez, backed by vocals by the band members. 

Mariachi historian Jonathan Clark seems impressed by the mariachi version of the popular Christmas song. “It’s a masterpiece,” he says in a press statement released by Mariachi Herencia de México. “This is mariachi music in its most sophisticated and modernist form. It is almost the antithesis of folklore, almost futuristic. Maybe in 20 or 30 years, all groups will sound like that, I don’t know. But it is at the forefront.” 

An ensemble consisting of 18-musicians between the ages of 17 and 22, Mariachi Herencia de México has released four studio albums, including Herencia de la Tierra Mía, Esencia and Esencia, Vol. 2–the later came out last year. Its debut album Nuestra Herencia earned the band a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album in 2017.

“In each recording, this group demonstrates its commitment to Mexican music,” says César Maldonado, director and founder of the band. “These young musicians understand the essence of our music. They have an important role to play in helping to preserve mariachi music with new generations.”

The band has toured the United States, Mexico and Canada and performed alongside artists Lila Downs, Aida Cuevas, Los Lobos, Pedro Fernández and Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán.

This Christmas season, Mariachi Herencia de México will perform a special Christmas show entitled “A Very Merry Christmas” Dec. 17 through 19 at two Chicago venues, the Thalia Hall  and Old Town School of Folk Music. 

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Teenage Mariachi Ensemble Records Album With Music Legend Rigoberto Alfaro During Pandemic, While Social Distancing

The historic tradition of mariachi music has roots in Mexico, especially Guadalajara and Mexico City, places where the festive folk style lives since the glory days of the mid-1900s.  Today, the future of the mariachi genre may rest in the hands of a young, dynamic ensemble from Chicago, IL, Mariachi Herencia de México.

This mariachi comes from an unlikely source: a four-year-old ensemble that started as a student group in Chicago Public Schools and is mostly composed of teenagers between 14 and 18. Their debut CD four years ago was nominated for a Latin GRAMMY®.

This group of young Mexican-American musicians released their fourth studio album Esencia, Vol. 2, May 29, 2020. The new album features 18 musicians on 13 classic songs, with arrangements by GRAMMY® award-winning composer and musical director Rigoberto Alfaro; It’s a collection of classics from the Mexican songbook.

Recording an album with 18 musicians during a pandemic presented a special challenge. Mariachi instruments are usually recorded by section, but on this album, each young musician was recorded individually. Alfaro was unable to travel to Chicago to be in the studio with the group, due to COVID-19. However, sixteen-year old trumpet player and singer Marco A. Villela stepped-in as musical director.

One of the most important outcomes of Mariachi Herencia’s collaborations with Alfaro is how much the kids and Marco learn from each other. At such a young age, Marco has demonstrated an understanding of music at a more in-depth level. He closely studied Alfaro’s arrangements, developing an ear for his unique rhythms and harmonies. Marco has already begun to compose music for the group on his own.

Sixteen-year-old violinist and singer Karla de la Cerda says the goal of the Esencia albums is to record classic Mexican songs with a fresh and progressive quality while staying true to the original sound that made these songs so popular before.

“We’re teenagers and we feel a responsibility to share these songs with our own generation, so they’re not lost. These songs are part of our culture, our history, and it’s our job to make sure they’re not forgotten. One of my favorites is Amor Eterno. There are so many different versions of this Juan Gabriel classic, but our version has a modern and elegant twist to it.”

Esencia, Vol. 2 includes very special collaborations with two famous mariachis, Mariachi Cobre and Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. Mariachi Cobre is vocally featured on Cuando México Canta, while Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán is vocally featured on Vamos a Darnos Tiempo.

The album also includes other songs from the Mexican Songbook to Ranchera standards, including México Lindo y Querido, Los Laureles, and Si Nos Dejan.

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