MARIACHI, MEXICO
Think symbols of Mexico and, no doubt, a trumpet-tooting Mariachi band isn't too far down the list. These bands are rooted in rural folk music but evolved into today's version with the urbanisation and proud proclamations of Mexican identity following the 1910 revolution. Along the way, they grew in size and added instruments. The earliest bands used just string instruments, with only a couple of players; from the 1920s and 30s, there could be upwards of four, or more, and trumpets became key (thanks to the influence of US jazz). The songs – lyrically drawing on themes such as love and death, as well as Mexican history – take in many different musical types, from traditional corrido ballads to waltzes and polkas. In fact, a huge repertoire is needed:…
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The Simple Things (Digital) - 1 Issue, May 2023