REVIEW: Next generation's terrific

Maria de los Angeles Gonzales of Anaheim, Calif.'s, Mariachi Anacatlán has the "grit and soul" of a classic ranchera singer.
Photos by VAL CAÑEZ/Tucson Citizen

DANIEL BUCKLEY
Tucson Citizen
April 25, 2003
With the traditional whirling of skirts and the combined mariachis launching into "Son de la Negra," 3 1/2 hours of the best of the next generation of mariachi and folklórico performers came to a close.
The house was packed at the Tucson Convention Center Music Hall as more than a dozen mariachi ensembles from Arizona, New Mexico, California and Mexico, and a threesome of folklórico dance troupes wowed the crowd.
The Participants' Showcase is always the sleeper event of the Mervyn's Tucson International Mariachi Conference - an event that shows in no uncertain terms that the traditions that spawned the conference are in ever more confident hands.
But last night's event was special as much for the range of repertoire and presentation included, as for the instrumental and vocal prowess of the musicians.
From the vaulting roots undercurrents of Nogales, Arizona's Mariachi Apache to the theatrical male versus female medley offered up by Imperial, California's Mariachi Mixteca de Valle Imperial, this showcase concert brought a mix of tradition and innovation.
It was great to see that Pueblo High School's Mariachi Aztlán has lost none of its punch, and that it has a spectacular new lead singer in Jessica Rojas.
The blind singer earned the sole full-audience standing ovation of the evening for her agile vocal athletics and pure, clean sound.

Jessica Rojas, 16, earned the only full-audience standing ovation.

Another vocal standout was Maria de los Angeles Gonzales of Anaheim, Calif.'s, Mariachi Anacatlán. The dusky-voiced guitarist has the grit and soul of a classic ranchera singer, and was ably backed with showmanship and unity by her group.
Brawley, Calif's Ballet Folklórico Azteca broke the mold with lively, athletic dances from Baja California.
Dressed in Western garb of the norteño tradition and backed with accordion, sax and drum-fueled border music, the group's lower leg behind-the-back propeller moves could have launched them to the back row in three bars flat had they been in water.
Ballet Folklórico de la Universidad de Colima - the resident experts leading the dance workshops - stylishly brandished the tradition.
The heat cranks up as the pros take the stage tonight.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Espectacular Concert, featuring Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Mariachi Cobre, and Pablo Montero.
WHERE: Tucson Convention Center Arena.
WHEN: 7:30 tonight.
COST: $26, $36, $56 and $76 (includes TCC Facility Fee), available through the TCC box office.