Skip to main content

Mexico's Pioneer Mariachis, Vol. 1: Mariachi Coculense "Rodriguez" De Cirilo Marmolejo 1926-1936

Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo, Cuarteto Coculense
Mexico's Pioneer Mariachis, Vol. 1: Mariachi Coculense "Rodriguez" De Cirilo Marmolejo 1926-1936

Mariachi is a genre of regional Mexican music that dates from the 18th century. Originally considered a rural music, mariachi gradually evolved into an urban form. The musical style eventually began to take on national prominence in the first half of the 20th century with the introduction of records and radio. Early mariachi bands were composed of violins and guitars. Over time, bands added a horn instrument to the music; by the 1930s, they were including a trumpet in the stringed ensemble. Mariachi bands also began wearing charro outfits to identify with the music more closely. In 2011, mariachi was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In 1993, Arhoolie Records issued several anthologies of early mariachi bands. Volume 1 features the music of Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo, a band that played and recorded in the 1920s and ʼ30s. In the 1920s, the band was invited to perform in Mexico City at political events and social affairs. This exposure led to their appearance in the U.S. at the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago. They became the first mariachi to record in the U.S. (tracks 112, 113, and 114). The final four selections of volume 1 are recordings by Cuarteto Coculense, a mariachi band from the early 20th century.

Track Listing

icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
101
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
02:56
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
102
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
03:11
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
103
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
02:55
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
104
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
03:05
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
105
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
03:00
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
106
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
03:38
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
107
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
03:14
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
108
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
02:58
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
109
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
03:06
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
110
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
03:18
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
111
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
03:06
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
112
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
03:22
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
113
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
03:15
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
114
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
03:13
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
115
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
03:14
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
116
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
03:04
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
117
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
03:13
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
118
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
03:08
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
119
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
03:06
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
120
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
03:08
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
121
Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo
02:56
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
122
Cuarteto Coculense
02:59
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
123
Cuarteto Coculense
03:12
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
124
Cuarteto Coculense
03:38
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
125
Cuarteto Coculense
02:58