Mariachi Charanda Mariachi Charanda Mariachi Charanda is a traditional mariachi or “son” musical group from Mexico. The group works to conserve the version of this music, originally done only with string instruments, working with educational and cultural institutions to present this antique style of music all over Mexico and abroad. Founded in 1979, the group has been together over thirty years, with members José Luis Perujo on the violin, Javier Lassard on violin, Carlos Carral in Mexican vihuela, Sergio Mendez on guitarra de golpe, Emilio Perujo on guitarrón mexicano, with vocals by María Perujo. The group’s repertoire mostly consists of traditional son
Mariachi of orchestra, keeping the traditional son/mariachi base while integrating new musical ideas and styles. One other innovation, in contrast to the machismo of the style were the first female mariachi performers, Lola Beltrán and Lucha Villa. One night Mariachi Vargas put Beltrán on stage when she was a teenager. Her versions of “Cucurrucucu Paloma” and “Tres Dias” are now considered classics. Many of the traditional sounds of Cocula were lost as mariachi groups incorporated other musical styles that were popular on the radio. New influences have come into the tradition from the Mexican American community in the United States. In