Mariachi Musicians, Festivals
I became a fan of mariachi music when I started getting photo assignments at Disneyland. I could have guessed the incredible trumpeter I was listening to in a mariachi band would eventually take home several Grammy Awards — she was that good. Blonde-haired Cindy Shea, a SoCal native from Hacienda Heights, wanted to become one of the world’s best trumpeters, she told her parents when she was 8.
She trained under famed Latin trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and seemed on her way to a successful career in jazz. Things just clicked, however, when she performed in an all female mariachi band. That band ended in 1999, but not Shea’s passion. She formed Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea, taking the world by storm with several Grammy Awards and multiple nominations.
Mariachi Festivals California
- National City International Mariachi Festival Mar.12
- San Gabriel Mariachi Women’s Festival – Viva Veracruz! Mar.25
- Escondido Mariachi Festival Apr.2
- Mission San Juan Capistrano Battle of the Mariachis May 13
- Mariachi USA at Hollywood Bowl July 1
- Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival Aug.5
- Santa Cruz Mole & Mariachi Festival Sep.9
