Jose Hernandez has made and continues to make an indelible mark on the music of mariachi. Individually and through his group Mariachi Sol de Mexico, Jose has contributed mightily to increase awareness of the rich and colorful music genre of mariachi. A proud fifth generation mariachi musician, Maestro Hernandez’ roots trace back to 1879 to the birthplace of mariachi – Jalisco, Mexico. Ever since he founded Mariachi Sol de Mexico in 1981, Jose has gone on to break countless barriers in the world of mariachi music and is today considered a leader in the development of mariachi as an internationally successful music genre.
An accomplished trumpet virtuoso and graduate of the Grove School of Music, Jose is the first mariachi musician to have arranged, composed and conducted for numerous international symphony orchestras. His platinum-selling Sol de Mexico became the first mariachi ensemble to be nominated three times for a Grammy – most recently on September 25th for his hew symphonic CD, “La Música” with Mariachi Sol de Mexico and the Sinfonica Nacional de Las Americas. His professional successes are many and they continue to mount. ?
Jose, however, is especially proud of his work in education and is committed to working with young musicians to guide them along the way. He is an annual fixture as a “Maestro” at Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque. He has collaborated with school districts throughout the country to assist them in building standards-based mariachi programs and has developed a full line of mariachi instruments for West Music Company. As a Conn-Selmer Performing Artist, Jose is solely responsible for developing the new, highly acclaimed and ground-breaking Bach Stradivarius LR 19043B Trumpet which was premiered at the NAMM Show in January of 2013. Over the past year, Hernandez has also been collaborating with Hal Leonard Corportation which just released five of his arrangements including CIELITO LINDO, EL SON DE LA NEGRA, MARIETA, ME HE DE COMER ESA TUNA and POR UN AMOR. These authentic arrangements were inspired by Jose’s desire to provide appropriate selections for school ensembles that would focus on authentic performance style.
It has been well documented that Jose Hernandez and Mariachi Sol de Mexico are an irrefutable institution within the mariachi genre. They continue to leave an undeniable legacy through their recordings as well as their contributions to the film industry including performances in Seabiscuit, Old Gringo, American Me, Don Juan de Marco, A Million to Juan, Glory Road, Beverly Hills Chihuahua and Rango.
Maestro Jose Hernandez is not only responsible for setting a new standard for all mariachi ensembles today, but also for immortalizing this wonderful, passionate music across the world. We are honored and proud to announce Jose Hernandez as our 2015 Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque Hall of Fame Inductee.
