Mariachi songs were longer than the standard three-and-a-half minutes of the then-standard 78 rpm record, forcing the shortening of tunes. Around the same time, the popularity of jazz and Cuban music introduced the trumpet into mariachi, pushing the violins into second place and in some cases, replacing the harp. The most prized of the mariachis remained those from the state of Jalisco, particularly the areas of Cocula and Tecalitlán. They represented Mexico to the people during the Independence Day celebrations in Mexico City in 1933 as well as during Lázaro Cárdenas' election campaign in 1936. The charro tradition was strong in
Mariachi Gringo Mariachi Gringo Mariachi Gringo is a 2012 feature film directed by Tom Gustafson and written by Cory Krueckeberg. The film was produced by Speak Productions and Sin Sentido Films. The film stars Shawn Ashmore, Martha Higareda, Lila Downs, Fernando Becerril, Kate Burton, Tom Wopat and Adriana Barraza. Mariachi Gringo opened the 2012 Miami International Film Festival and won the Mayahuel Awards for Best Film & Best Actress for Martha Higareda at the 2012 Guadalajara International Film Festival. Edward (Shawn Ashmore), a small-town American slacker, meets Albert, an old Mexican man who was once a mariachi. Enchanted by traditional Mexican music,