José Hernández is a master of mariachi music.

The Grammy-winning world-renowned musician, composer, and music educator, is founder of the world-famous Mariachi Sol de México and America’s first all-female professional mariachi ensemble Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles. He also directs the mariachi ensemble that plays at L.A. Rams football games.

José’s family hails from Miraflores, Jalisco. He is a seven-generation mariachi whose family, arguably the longest continuous mariachi family, has played music professionally since the 1700s when Mexico was New Spain. José’s daughter, Crystal, is following the family tradition, joining her father’s ensemble Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles.

José and his Mariachi Sol de México received their latest Latin Grammy nomination in 2022 for their album 40 Aniversario Embajadores del Mariachi, a collection of classic rancheras. José has nine Latin Grammy nominations, and the ensemble has seven. His arrangements and orchestrations have led his mariachi to share the stage with Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, and Jalisco Symphony. Recently, the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra debuted his composition Rapsodia para un mariachi. Mariachi Sol de México has played sold-out concerts from Madison Square Garden to Beijing, China, and Pyongyang, North Korea. It has played for five U.S. presidents from Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama.

The versatility of Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández led to amazing collaborations with legacy artists such as The Beach Boys, Willie Nelson, Selena, Linda Ronstadt, Juan Gabriel, Jose Feliciano, Vicente Fernández, and a record-breaking tour with superstar Luis Miguel. The ensemble has also provided music for the soundtracks for films Old Gringo, American Me, Rango, Glory Road, Sea Biscuit, Don Juan de Marco, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, and many more.

José works tirelessly to inspire and empower the next generation of musicians, helping to create mariachi music programs in schools in 37 states. He founded The José Hernández' Mariachi Nationals and Summer Institute and the Mariachi Heritage Society. In 2021, he received the Cesar Chavez Legacy of Service Award, recognized for his work elevating the perception of mariachi music throughout the world.

In 1981, at the age of 23, Mr. Jose Hernandez founded Mariachi Sol de Mexico in Los Angeles, California. As true representatives of a treasured musical heritage, the 33 year old Mariachi Sol de Mexico has grown to become a dynamic team that has accepted the mantel as the nation’s mariachi ambassadors. More than any American citizen, Maestro Hernandez is responsible for the recognition that this musical tradition is receiving throughout the world. His ensemble of musical artists brings together refined vocal power and superb musicianship. His 13 member concert mariachi ensemble is one of the finest mariachi ensembles to be found both in Mexico and the United States.

Mr. Hernandez' compositions are bright, splashy celebrations. No one else in the mariachi music scene navigates traditional Mexican folk, classical, and pop music with such grace. Their 8th CD was nominated for a Grammy in 2001 (Tequila con Limon con El Mariachi Sol de Mexico). This nomination made them the first mariachi ensemble to receive such an honor. Their 13th CD, 25 Anniversario José Hernández y Su Mariachi Sol de México, was also nominated for a Grammy in 2007.

Their most recent recording, LA MUSICA, Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández con La Sinfónica Nacional de Las Américas, was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2013. Hernandez has taken his ensemble to perform with the New Mexico, Denver, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Los Angeles symphony orchestras. Sol has recorded with American and Mexican artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Willie Nelson, Juan Gabriel, Lola Beltran, Vicente Fernandez, Green Day, Luis Miguel, Shaila Durcal, and Vikki Carr.

Mr. Hernandez has grown to become an American cultural ambassador having toured to Spain, Chile, Venezuela, and Colombia, as well as holding the distinction of being the first mariachi to perform in the People’s Republic of China and North Korea.

Jose Hernandez comes from a family that has been performing mariachi music for five generations. He has shared the stage with his five brothers since the age of three. His fluent mastery of the medium has led him to assist in many film scores. He has participated in more than 20 Hollywood soundtracks including Rango, Seabiscuit, Don Juan De Marco, and A Million to Juan. Mariachi Sol de Mexico represents 126 years of mariachi tradition. 2016 marks their 35^th Anniversary.