Biography

Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández

While his family tree is rooted in five generations of Mariachi musicians that hail from La Sierra del Tigre region of Jalisco, José Hernández built on that foundation to grow mariachi music in new territories, musical genres, and in the hearts of new audiences. After forming Mariachi Sol de Mexico® in 1981, Mr. Hernández led the group to instant and lasting success, playing in sold-out halls, including Madison Square Garden, and in cities including Beijing and Pyongyang. They have been invited to play at the White House for five US presidents.

The ability of Mariachi Sol de Mexico® de José Hernández to blend genres seamlessly is evidenced in their cohesive collaboration with orchestras throughout the United States, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Santa Rosa Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, and Jalisco Symphony. This magic was captured in their 25th-anniversary symphonic album, which led to the first ever mariachi-symphony Grammy nomination. Their work can also be heard in films including Rango, Glory Road, Seabiscuit, and Don Juan de Marco.

The versatility of Sol de Mexico® to expand to new audiences has led to collaborations with artists such as the Beach Boys and Willie Nelson. Within the world of Latin music, Sol de Mexico® has played alongside stars such as Vicente Fernandez, Selena, Jose Feliciano, and a record-breaking concert tour with Luis Miguel. The group has been nominated for 10 Grammy and Latin Grammy awards.

When they are not playing for heads of state or global audiences, they can be seen locally, often working with a younger generation of musicians through the Mariachi Heritage Society.

José Hernàndez

José Hernández is an 11-time Grammy Award nominee and a master of mariachi music. He is a world-renowned musician, composer, and music educator who also travels year-round teaching the art of mariachi music to new generations at schools across the United States and Mexico. He is founder of the world-famous Mariachi Sol de México® and America’s first all-female professional mariachi ensemble, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles®.

Mr. Hernández is a fifth-generation mariachi whose passion is to bring mariachi music to audiences around the world. He works tirelessly to inspire and empower the next generation of musicians through the educational initiatives he has founded: the José Hernández Mariachi Nationals and Summer Institute, a mariachi music summer intensive and competition that brings together some of the country’s top student mariachi ensembles; and the Mariachi Heritage Society, which teaches mariachi music and folk dancing to new generations. He is also the musical director of several mariachi festivals.

Mr. Hernández’s musical inspirations are rich and diverse, ranging from Agustín Lara to José Alfredo Jiménez. His 17th CD, Bailando Sones y Huapangos con el Mariachi Sol de Mexico, an homage to the significant relationship between mariachi and ballet folklórico, was nominated for both a Latin Grammy and a Grammy. He has also recorded with Selena, Vicente Fernandez, Lola Beltrán, Juan Gabriel, Luis Miguel, Bryan Adams, and the Beach Boys.