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Sample Track 1:
"Torito Coiteco" from Fiesta Mexicana - English
Sample Track 2:
"Narrative: The Hyper Cowboy Mouse from Texas" from Fiesta Mexicana - English
Sample Track 3:
"El Raton Vaquero" from Fiesta Mexicana - Español
Sample Track 4:
"Narrativa: Doña Sabina y El Tempo" from Fiesta Mexicana - Español
Sample Track 5:
"El Trenecito" from Fiesta Mexicana - Español
Buy Recording:
Fiesta Mexicana - English
Layer 2
Bio

More About Sones de México Ensemble

Sones de México Ensemble made its first public appearance in 1994 at an art gallery in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, commemorating the death of Mexican land-rights revolution hero Emiliano Zapata. Chicago, with its well-known patronage for the arts, a one-hundred-year-old history of Mexican immigration and the second-largest Mexican immigrant population in the U.S., was fertile ground for the ensemble’s development. Through the years, the ensemble has amassed a large collection of folk musical instruments representative of Mexico’s diverse local cultures and a team of multi-instrumentalist musicians. Their diverse repertoire, rich in colors, textures and rhythms demonstrates that there is more to Mexican music than mariachi. Their concerts entertain the senses and illustrate the mind. Today, the ensemble has toured extensively, and through its own non-profit organization has taught thousands of school children and adults across the nation about the riches of Mexican music, dance and culture.

This year, the group celebrates its 15th anniversary. Recently, the group released its third compact disc entitled Esta Tierra Es Tuya (This Land Is Your Land). The album received many accolades, including a GRAMMY Nomination for Best Mexican-American Album, and a Latin GRAMMY Nomination for Best Folk Album. The album reflects the group’s musical and personal evolution in the past few years: it has become musically more complex and socially more involved. The group’s repertoire is firmly rooted in the Mexican son tradition (a family of regional styles of Mexican folk dance music), and it also shows some playfulness in its experimental forays into non-Mexican traditions. The group’s repertoire occasionally tests the limits of the style by doing son “covers” of everything from flamenco, Country & Western, hard rock, Irish jigs and even the American folk classic that became the title track of their new CD. The band is currently working on a new, dual-language album for children. For updates, visit the band’s website.

Sones de Mexico Ensemble is partially sponsored by a City Arts Program 2 grant from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and by the National Endowment for the Arts who believes that a great nation deserves great art.


Sones de México Ensemble is

Víctor Pichardo, (music director) co-founder and award-winning composer, was born in Mexico City and has been a bandleader for over 25 years. His training in Mexican folk music has spanned most of his life, learning orally, first-hand from master artists in Mexico’s various musical regions, and academically with a degree in music composition from Columbia College.

Juan Díes (executive director) is a co-founder and life-long musician (bass, guitarrón, guitars, vocals) who also serves as the chief administrator for the organization. Raised in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, he migrated to the U.S. and earned an MA in folklore/ ethnomusicology from Indiana University and a BA in music & anthropology from Earlham College.

Lorena Iñiguez (dancer and musician) has danced on stage from the age of six and now is an active dance and music teacher. She teaches in schools, academies, arts residencies, workshops and special events. She studied communications at Northeastern Illinois University with a dance scholarship.

Juan Rivera (master fiddler) was born in Michoacán, Mexico, and studied violin at Casa de la Música Mexicana, where he later became an instructor. He studied the huasteco style of violin with Rolando “Quecho” Hernández. In 2001, Juan relocated to Chicago where he now performs with Sones de Mexico Ensemble. He teaches violin privately and in groups.

Zacbé Pichardo (harp, mallets and percussion) was introduced to Mexican traditional music from birth by his father, Victor, and by the community of musicians who frequented their household. Zacbé has traveled extensively throughout México. He is currently pursuing a degree in music composition at Columbia College.

Javier Saume (drums and percussion) was originally from Caracas, Venezuela, and began playing percussion at the age of eight. Javier has performed with the Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho Orchestra, Ensamble Gurrufio and OGMA, and Miranda States Orchestra in Venezuela. He has a BA in percussion from Roosevelt University.