Mariachi Los Camperos heats up Eccles
A spicy blend of Mexican music will be performed when Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano performs at the Ellen Eccles Theatre Thursday.
Los Camperos has been honoring and innovating the sounds of mariachi, a musical and dance celebration, for 43 years. It has become one of the most popular and prestigious mariachi groups in the world.
The Los Angeles Times called Los Camperos de Nati Cano “the best mariachi in the world.”
According to a press release, mariachi music has evolved greatly since its rowdy beginnings in the 1850s in rural Mexico. The fast-paced, syncopated son, once the main staple of the mariachi repertoire, is now only one of many musical genres played by mariachi.
In an interview in The Salt Lake Tribune, Nati Cano, the director for Los Camperos, said, “It is not good for everything to be the same. But there are limits to change.”
Cano used the taco as an example.
“Aside from mariachi and tequila, the taco is the worldwide image of Mexico,” Cano said. “Put salsa de tomato on the taco. Put salsa verde, put salsa de chipotle. Just don’t put ketchup on it.”
On a more serious note, Cano said, “We have no choice. You have to open doors, you have to show you are capable of accomplishing different styles inside your own tradition.”
Mariachi is known as Mexico’s traditional orchestra, but Los Camperos is not limited to traditional favorites. They also play mariachi with a mixture of cultural influences, said Lisette Miles, executive director of Cache Valley Center for the Arts.
“Don’t be surprised if you hear everything from renditions of opera overtures to cumbias and meringues from the Latin Caribbean,” Miles said.
No matter what they’re playing, people are listening. Los Camperos was featured on the PBS special “Mariachi: The Spirit and Soul of Mexico” in 2003. They were also featured on Linda Ronstadt’s best selling album, “Canciones de Mi Padre” (“Songs of my Father”), as well as two subsequent albums and Mas Canciones (“More Songs”). They have toured extensively from performances at the White House to San Francisco’s Orpheum Theater and now, in Logan.
“Los Camperos de Nati Cano provides an excellent opportunity for families to experience a taste of Latin culture, particularly through this exciting Mexican music that represents a growing presence in our own community,” Miles said.
Tickets are $25, $21 and $15. A 15 percent is available for those who have purchased tickets to four or more Ellen Eccles Theatre Presents events this season and for groups of 15 or more. Call 752-0026 or visit the ticket office at 43 S. Main St. for tickets or more information.
-acbailey@cc.usu.edu