One of Saskatchewan’s only mariachi bands is celebrating its first album release. When the Mariachi Latino Band of Regina formed almost five years ago, Luis Alapizco took it upon himself to learn how to play the trumpet at 44 years-old. “We were trying to find a trumpet player, someone that knew how to play it and we couldn’t find [one],” Alapizco explained. “I went to a pawn shop, bought an old trumpet and started practising.” Now he plays it for fun. Being part of the band has also allowed Alapizco to share his culture with others in the community, including his son who plays the violin. “Mariachi is really Mexican so sharing that culture, being able to have my kid ... [and] new generations learning about Mexican music and the importance of mariachi, that’s key. That makes us feel amazing,” said Alapizco. Mariachi Latino Band held an album release party on Sunday at the Regina Senior Citizens’ Centre, drawing more than a hundred people. Lead vocalist Ana Hernandez said she was happy to see people listen to the band’s traditional Mexican music. “We were surprised because when we initially started with this project we thought it was going to be only for Latino people,” she said. “They invited us to one event and then we went to that event and people were picking up, they were dancing and singing along.” The group of 10 musicians – made up of people with Latin roots and Canadians – formed after Hernandez put out an ad asking if people wanted to join. Since then, the band has performed in more than 130 venues in communities across the province, as well as in Manitoba and Alberta. Hernandez said they use guitars and outfits from Mexico. People can check out the band’s music online through Apple Music and YouTube, in addition to their website. “One important thing about our music is that it’s for everybody. It’s not only for Latinos,” Hernandez said. “You see a rainbow of cultures here. That makes it very beautiful because people sing and dance together regardless of their culture, skin colour, that type of thing.”
