Sunday, September 17, 2023

Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Los Camperos was founded in 1961 by José Natividad “Nati” Cano Ruiz. Nati Cano played a fundamental role in the development of mariachi music in the United States by training and mentoring new generations of mariachi musicians. The mariachi “giant” was a visionary leader who wanted to take the mariachi performance out of customary locations such as cantinas and into concert halls where celebrities performed. Cano fulfilled his dream by presenting Los Camperos and performing at casinos in Las Vegas, Reno, Sparks, Lake Tahoe and other places where mariachis had never previously performed. Los Camperos became well known and in 1964, they were the first mariachi to perform in New York’s Carnegie Hall. In 1969, Cano opened the first-ever Mariachi Dine and Show at “La Fonda Casa de Los Camperos,” now known as a landmark in the city of Los Angeles. Today, mariachi restaurants all over the world are modeled after La Fonda.

Mariachi Los Camperos, one of the most popular mariachi ensembles in the world, is noted for innovative shows and distinction as a concert ensemble. The group has performed for over 60 years on stage and television, including PBS specials “In Performance at the White House,” “The Spirit of Mexico” and “Viva La Tradición” and motion pictures “Sex in the City 2,” “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” and “Jerry Maguire.” The Grammy Award-winning ensemble has recorded and performed with many artists, including Pedro Fernández, Pepe Aguilar, Angeles Ochoa, Eugenia León, Lila Downs, Alejandro Fernández, Luis Miguel and many more. Mariachi Los Camperos also collaborated on Linda Ronstadt’s 1987 milestone album “Canciones de Mi Padre” and Ronstadt’s 1992 sequel album “Mas Canciones.”

On October 3, 2014, Los Camperos mourned the death of Nati Cano. His passing was greatly felt by followers, students and performers worldwide. Cano left the group to Jesús "Chuy" Guzmán, who has served as the musical director since 1992.

Chuy Guzmán is known for his musical arrangements that highlight the skills and voices of the group. He is widely recognized as an arranger, director, instructor and musician in the genre of mariachi music. Guzmán has served as head instructor for numerous international mariachi festivals in the United States and Mexico. He is the musical director for the Mariachi Master Apprentice Program in San Fernando and continues as the instructor for Music of Mexico at UCLA. Under Guzmán’s direction, Mariachi Los Camperos released a 2015 Grammy-nominated musical tribute to Nati Cano called “Tradición, Arte y Pasión.” In January 2020, Mariachi Los Camperos’ album “De Ayer Para Siempre” won the Grammy Award for Best Regional Mexican Music Album.