Known as “the world’s greatest mariachi” and founded in 1897 in a small town called Tecalitlan, the Mariachi Vargas is an icon that represents Mexican music around the world.
Mariachi Vargas along with Mariachi Garibaldi and Mariachi Imperial de Mexico played the Mariachi Festival at the Majestic Fox Theater on March 13.
The music of these groups took the audience through a journey of mariachi folklore.
Mariachi Garibaldi, a Bakersfield-based Mariachi that was founded more than twelve years ago by Jaime Cuellar, opened the show. Its members work in different Mariachis, and they practice and get together to play in major events.
?”We want to demonstrate that we have talent in the Valley,” said Cuellar who was impressed with the response of the people during and after the show.
Performing for their friends and relatives was really important for them. “We really improved compared to our performance last year,” said Cuellar. “And we really want to improve for next year.”
After Mariachi Garibaldi, Mariachi Imperial de Mexico performed in the Fox with their music arrangements.
Playing traditional songs and funny compositions, their rhythm put some people to dance who had to be asked to sit down by security.
Ana Rubio, an undecided major at Bakersfield College, attended the festival.
“I like Mariachi, but I had never been to a show before,” said Rubio.
“Mariachi Imperial is what I enjoyed the most.”
And the audience exploded in laughs when “Elvis Presley” appeared on stage to sing some Mariachi songs and left an excited audience ready for the main performers.
“This night we are celebrating because we feel like home in Bakersfield,” said Jose Martinez, musical director of Mariachi Vargas, greeting the audience.
With their unique style that illustrates the best of Mariachi technique, the Mariachi Vargas demonstrated their musical maturity that comes from more than one hundred years of existence.
Playing a potpourri from their latest production as well as classic songs, all their members had a chance to prove why Mariachi Vargas is the best Mariachi in the world.?
The Mexican vihuela (a small guitar) and harp solos impressed even the most demanding people present at the theater who never got tired of applauding.
And “El Pastor,” (the shepherd), could not be left out, which is a song that includes a falsetto with very long notes. It put the audience on their feet.
At the end, the three Mariachis occupied the stage performing together a few songs and transmitting the message of the most Mexican music.
“We continue working for our musical genre, representing Mexico,” said Arturo Vargas, guitarist.
The Mariachi Vargas has performed in countries such as Spain, Brazil, Czech Republic and Japan, among others. “Thanks to God, Mariachi music is widely accepted. In countries with very different languages, the people respond splendidly,” said Vargas.