Mariachi Los Pastores

ASU’s “Mariachi Los Pastores” held a free concert on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. in the CJ Davidson Center. It was the group’s first concert to take place in the fall as well as the debut of many new singers.

“Our concert tonight is titled ‘Amor Que Vuelve,’ which translates to ‘Love That Returns.’ The song selections tonight will take the audience on an emotional journey that we go through when we fall in love,” Director Rosendo Ramos said, opening the night.

Before each tune, the singers would introduce themselves. The evening’s first song was “Hermoso Carino,” by Fernando Maldonado and sung by new vocalist Roberto Lopez. Featuring violins, guitars and trumpets, the tune had a deep sound and consistent instrumentation. The second song was “Los Laureles,” by Gilberto Parra with Abigail Elizondo on vocals. This melody opened with only the instrumentals until pausing to let the singer begin before joining in again. The string section supported the vocals throughout the whole song while the trumpets alternated in and out. 

Next was “Sabor A Mi,” by Alvaro Carrillo, which highlighted “themes of connection,” according to Ramos. The song was performed by vocalist Analeah Zimarron, and accompanied by trumpet soloists Caden Kaufman and Frankie Trevino. A trumpet solo opened the piece backed up by strings before leading into the singer. The string sections were prominent in between trumpet solos. 

This preceded the song “El Rey,” by Jose Alfredo Jimenez which was described by Ramos as representing the partner that says “I am the boss of this relationship.” The string section led the tune while new singer Refugio Martinez gave an introduction entirely in Spanish before singing with Kaufman. This song had a chorus between all the players and closed out with the trumpets.

The fifth song, “Popurri Volver,” by Fernando Maldonado and Juan Gabriel, was the basis for the program. Vocalists for this piece were Trevino and Jessie Martinez, a participant in a recent music competition. The medley featured multiple solos and a duet from the singers that included occasional pauses to let the instrumentals ring out. 

This was followed by Jose Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad,” a Christmas song where the audience was invited to sing along. Trumpets and vocals opened together before a duet began accompanied by all instruments. The song had both Spanish and English lyrics which allowed the audience to join in. After this was an intermission where the band played along to the entrance of the night’s special guests, “Ballet Folkorico Danza de Oro,” in colorful dresses as they circled the audience before being introduced to dance to the last piece of the night. 

The final song was “El Son de la Negra,” by Blas Galindo, considered to be the band’s anthem. The strings and trumpets continuously switched between alternating melodies and playing together. All of the singers also alternated with the music while the dancers performed in front of the stage the whole way through. 

To support Mariachi Los Pastores, visit https://igfn.us/form/tfVfAw

Upcoming music events include a Jazz Ensemble concert at the CJ Davidson Center on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. as well. There will also be the University Chorale & Chamber Singers Holiday Concert on Dec. 7 at the First Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m.