“Mariachi Oroazul de SJSU,” a San Jose State group composed of students and alumni, have strived to bring the Mexican culture’s sound and music to Spartans.
The instruments that comprise Mariachi Oroazul’s authentic sound range from violins to trumpets that exemplifies deep passion into their songs and their stories.
The Mariachi is a version of Spanish theatrical orchestra containing violins, guitars and a harp, according to a New Mexico State Mariachi History report. The ensemble that’s familiar today began to take shape in the 19th century in the Mexican state Jalisco.
Betsabe Lopez plays the trumpet and has been a part of the group since 2019.
“I want to keep the tradition alive and to keep inspiring people in my community to be connected to their roots,” Lopez said. “The vision I see for Mariachi Oroazul is for it to eventually become more known in the community.”
Jose B. Sanchez, Mariachi Oroazul founder and SJSU alumnus, has sung and played the trumpet for 13 years.
Sanchez started Mariachi Oroazul in 2018.
”Ultimately, mariachi music thrives in San Jose from the middle schools to the high schools and throughout the area,” Sanchez said. “But, there's a big gap between high school and the programs that are available in the area, so I'd like to bridge that gap by providing music education, providing leadership opportunities to our students and [creating] chances to work with the community.”
Mariachi Oroazul’s goal is to inspire students to come out and learn about Mexico’s rich culture and tradition of mariachi music.
“Oftentimes, we work for loss of words to express ourselves through the music, lyricism and emotion,” Sanchez said. “I find that all of our seniors and players really find the ability to express themselves, whether it's through the words that are reenacting a scene or they're painting a story for you. That empowerment to spread the message has my heart pumping and just thinking about that brings passion to me and to all my colleagues.”
The group’s players are mesmeric and in sync with each of their instruments as they know this is more than just music, he said.
Alfonso Lopez, business administration senior, said he's played in a mariachi group since he was in middle school and wanted to carry on his talent through college.
“Learning the history of how [mariachi music] evolved from European-style music to a Mexican-distinctive genre gives me goosebumps when I'm playing,” Lopez said.
Mariachi originates from Mexico natives in the early 16th century, according to the 75-year store West Music.
These natives had their own highly developed musical traditions, but quickly mastered European musical practices and adapted other cultural and musical blending of indigenous and foreign elements, according to the West Music Mariachi History webpage.
Mariachi Oroazul’s strum of guitars and vocal vibrations gives any listener who loves mariachi chills when watching the group live.
“It’s a great honor to represent our culture and also being able to represent [SJSU] so obviously we got to try our best,” Lopez said.
Everything has a purpose when it comes to mariachi music from the lyrics to the uniforms they wear when performing, which is called “trajes.”
Mariachi Oroazul sported their new trajes for the semester, which are true to traditional mariachi outfit designs with Spartans’ blue bow ties and gold adorned buttoning on their “chaquetillas,” or short jackets, and their fitted trousers or skirts.
Their outfits also consist of embroidered belts and “botines de charro,” which are ankle-high boots.
“When we put our trajes on I feel it's a sign of honor. I read books on history and it was a uniform for soldiers back then for the conquistadors in Mexico,” Lopez said. “Every time I put the traje on and perform [I’m] representing Mexico and Mexicans.”
Mariachi Oroazul will perform Thursday, at San Jose City Hall in honor of Mexico’s Independence Day.
