Founded in 1999, Mariachi Divas are continuously
making big waves on the Los Angeles music scene. Mariachi Divas is a
unique, multi-cultural ensemble, and over the years has been
represented by women of: Mexican, Cuban, Samoan, Argentinean,
Colombian, Panamanian, Honduran, Puerto Rican, Swiss, Japanese, and
Anglo decent. Founder and Director Cindy Shea states, "Music is a
way of uniting our cultural backgrounds. Our foundation and roots
are mariachi, but we have added extra elements to reflect our
diversity."
Mariachi Divas has added instrumentation such as
timbales, congas, bongos, cajón, tambora, percussion, tres, and
flute to their traditional mariachi ensemble of guitarrón, vihuela,
guitar, violins, and trumpets. When these non-traditional
instruments blend with the traditional mariachi instruments there
are no limitations to what styles Mariachi Divas can play,
including: cumbia, cha-cha-cha, and merengue. Cuban rhythms with
congas, classical violin intros, and jazz-influenced flute and
trumpet solos are infused into the traditional mariachi sounds
throughout Así Somos.
The Divas have created their own style of music in
which they call "Ranchengue," a unique combination of a ranchera
played in merengue fashion which can be heard on the Divas rendition
of Cielito Lindo and Alia En El Rancho Grande. These women are not
only accomplished vocalists and musicians but also composers,
arrangers, and lyricists. Fusing traditional mariachi with various
musical styles has gained fans for the Mariachi Divas around the
world.
Never stepping too far from what brought them
together, the sound of mariachi rings though every song that is
played no matter what style of music they choose to perform. Cindy
goes on to say, "I love the fact that we add jazz and improvisation
to our music, and recording Tijuana Taxi was the perfect song to add
a little swing with my horn. It is amazing that I do not have to
give up my love for jazz and that we have created a place for other
styles within the music of Mariachi Divas."
Mariachi Divas have been featured at major venues
throughout the United States and Mexico. The Divas have also been
the official Mariachi group for Disneyland and Disney's California
Adventure since September 2003. Mariachi Divas can be found
performing regularly at the historical Mexican restaurant, La Fonda,
in downtown Los Angeles which was founded by Nati Cano of Mariachi
Los Camperos.
Mariachi Divas musicians are currently endorsed by
LP Percussion, Zeta Music, Intellitouch Tuners, Soundback Acoustic
Monitors and LPD Music. Mariachi Divas CD's are currently
distributed and represented by Bayside Entertainment and Shea
Records.
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