Mariachi Herencia De México is a constantly rotating ensemble of students from Chicago’s immigrant barrios, with a hit song and 2017 Latin Grammy nomination. The band started in 2016 as a student group in Chicago Public Schools and is still composed of teenagers between 14 and 18. They released their fourth studio album on May 29th. Esencia, Vol. 2, a collection of Mexican classics, featuring 18 musicians on 13 classic Mariachi songs, arranged by the renowned Rigoberto Alfaro. Recorded during the pandemic lockdown, each of the young musicians was taped individually and the production was directed in person by sixteen-year-old trumpet player and singer Marco A. Villela because Alfaro could not travel. Mariachi Herencia performs classical Mexican songs but with a bit of a modern twist to make them relevant to their generation and keep the music alive. Signed to IMG Artists, a major international talent agency, the group had more than a dozen dates scheduled for a Spring but due to the pandemic, they have to wait until the Fall to resume their touring schedule.
