The music of Mexico is diverse and features a wide range of different musical styles influenced mainly by European and Indigenous music. Many traditional Mexican songs are well-known worldwide, although most of the time their origin in Mexico is not so clear to the non-Mexican listener. "Cielito Lindo", "La Bamba" and many more are part of the Mexican culture and famous all over the world. Music on the east coast of Mexico was heavily influenced by Cuban music in the 20th century. The Son Jarocho and Son Huasteco were influenced by the Son Cubano. Cha cha cha, danzon, mambo and bolero grew importantly in Mexico, especially in Veracruz and Mexico City. Important song writers that influenced this were Perez Prado, Benny More and Agustin Lara. Nowadays the most popular Mexican genre is ranchera, interpreted by a band of mariachis. Examples include the work of Cuco Sanchez, Chavela Vargas and Vicente Fernández. Mariachi music remains Mexico's national song. "Cielito Lindo" is a popular traditional song of Mexico, written in 1882 by Quirino Mendoza y Cortés (c. 1859 - 1957). The melody was used as the basis for a popular song, "You, Me, and Us," which became a hit for Alma Cogan in the United Kingdom in 1957. "La Bamba" is a folk song whose origins can be traced to the Mexican state of Veracruz over 300 years ago. Influenced by Spanish flamenco and Afro-Mexican rhythms, the song uses the violin, jaranas, guitar, and harp. Lyrics to the song greatly vary, as performers often improvise verses while performing. However, versions (such as those by musical groups Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan and Los Pregoneros del Puerto) have survived because of the artists' popularity and have become the "definitive" versions. The traditional aspect of "La Bamba" lies in the tune itself, which remains the same through all versions. The name of the dance, which has no direct English translation, is presumably connected with the Spanish verb, bambolear meaning "to shake", or perhaps "to stomp". A dissenting view holds that the dance originated in or near one of the towns named Bamba in Angola or the DR Congo. The traditional "La Bamba" was often played during weddings in Veracruz, where the bride and groom performed the accompanying dance. Today this wedding tradition is mostly lost, but the dance survives through the popularity of ballet folklórico. The dance is performed in much the same way, displaying the newlywed couple’s unity through the performance of complicated, delicate steps in unison as well as through creation of a bow from a listón, a long red ribbon, using only their feet. The "arriba" (literally "up") part of the song suggests the nature of the dance, in which the footwork, called "zapateado", is done faster and faster as the music tempo accelerates. The repeated lyric "Yo no soy marinero" ("Lit: I am not a sailor") refers to Veracruz's marine locale and the husband's promise that he will remain faithful to his wife. At many gatherings, including the youth conventions of Esperanto (IJK, Internacia Seminario), one traditionally dances to La Bamba in a circle. People dance in the circle and people dance out of it. The people within the circle can take a place in the outer circle by kissing one of the people dancing in it, after this ritual one swaps places. Multiple versions are used for this, Spanish as well as partly or completely sung in Esperanto. Xocoyotzin Herrera is an ethnomusicologist who specializes in traditional Mexican music and teaches in the Department of Chicano Studies at California State University Northridge. He is a multi-instrumentalist who has recorded and performed nationally and internationally with renowned groups such as Conjunto Hueyapan, Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano and Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez. Other credits include recordings for Walt Disney Records and Grammy-Award winning Mexican rock band Jaguares. As a composer for Indart Music Publishing, his work has been featured in films and television programs such as Akeelah and the Bee, Little Miss Sunshine, The Shield, Resurrection Blvd., Malcolm in the Middle, Veronica Mars, The Unit and many others. He's the real deal. Ixya Herrera (pronounced ee-shaw) was born in Oxnard, California. Her name is a Mayan word meaning female bird, an auspicious epithet for this young lady who turned out to be a true songbird with amazing vocal purity and power. The youngest of five children, Ixya grew up in a musical family equally conversant with classical, blues, rock, and Mexican music. Her home experience and rigorous voice training from master teachers such as Michael Bondon, Nolan Van Way, Mario Llano Talavera, and Seth Riggs ("voice coach to the stars") have prepared Ixya to sing in a variety of styles with astounding ease and authenticity. Ixya Herrera made her stage debut at age 12 at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference singing duos with her idol Linda Ronstadt. Ixya was later invited by Ms. Ronstadt to do a number of guest appearances with her in the "Fiesta Mexicana Tour". Other Credits include performances at the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri in Kansas City, Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre in Denver, The John Anson Ford Theatre in Hollywood, the Teatro de la Cuidad de la Paz in La Paz, Baja California, the Orange County Center for the Performing Arts, Televisa Foro 2 in Mexico City, Convento del Carmen in Mexico City (Recital for Televisa), UCLA's Royce Hall, the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, the Tucson International Mariachi Conference (alongside Lola Beltran), the Las Cruces International mariachi Conference (also with Lola Beltran), and the Los Angeles California Plaza. "This classy Oxnard, California siren displays astonishing power, range, and graceful maturity..."; Entertainment weekly: "...blazing...vocal and inspirational diversity...her voice soars and dives...an ability to tell a story with authenticity as well as an alluring purr..."; The L.A. Times: "...singing prodigy...remarkable strength and clarity..."; The Tucson Citizen: "...an elegant singer with...flawless intonation..."; Latin Style Magazine: "She is nothing short of prodigious. " Music "Viva Mexico!" has been featured in the following: "Esperanza" featured in "The Shield" (FX Channel), "Sunshine Cleaning" (Overture Films) "Cancion Villista" featured in "10 Items Or Less" (Revelations Ent.) ALBUM CREDITS: 1. Ixya Herrera "Cielito Lindo" (Traditional) 02:55 Arrangement: Xocoyotzin Herrera Harp: Xocoyotzin Herrera Violins: Ernesto Molina Guitars: Danny Osuna 2. Xocoyotzin Herrera "El Mago Cardona" (X.Herrera) 03:53 Arrangement: Xocoyotzin Herrera Guitars and Bass: Antonio Melo Reyes Additional Guitars: Danny Osuna 3. Ismael Gallegos "Mi Tierra" (S. Traina, D.Osuna) 03:11 Arrangement: Danny Osuna Guitars, Programming and Synths: Danny Osuna 4. Ixya Herrera and Adela Marquez "La Barca De Oro" (Traditional) 03:42 Arrangement: Xocoyotzin Herrera Harp, Harmonica: Xocoyotzin Herrera Guitarron, Violins: Ernesto Molina 5. Elio Armas "El Chupe" (X.Herrera) 02:30 Arrangement: Xocoyotzin Herrera Viguela, Guitar: Xocoyotzin Herrera Guitarron, Violins: Ernesto Molina Trumpet: Elio Armas Accordion, Bass, Bajo Sexto, Vocals: Horlando Pacheco 6. Ixya Herrera Marchita "El Alma" (A.Zuñiga) P.D. 03:35 Arrangement: Xocoyotzin Herrera Piano: Armando A. Corral Guitarron, Violins: Ernesto Molina 7. Xocoyotzin Herrera "La Bamba" (Traditional) 02:41 Arrangement: Xocoyotzin Herrera Harp: Xocoyotzin Herrera Violins: Ernesto Molina Electric Guitars: Danny Osuna Background Vocals: Juan Del Castillo, Xocoyotzin Herrera 8. Ixya Herrera and Xocoyotzin Herrera "Cancion Villista" (X.Herrera) 02:52 Arrangement: Xocoyotzin Herrera Harp: Xocoyotzin Herrera Guitarron, Violins: Ernesto Molina 9. Ixya Herrera "Yo Te He De Amar" (X.Herrera) 03:18 Arrangement: Xocoyotzin Herrera Harp, Harmonica: Xocoyotzin Herrera Guitarron, Violins: Ernesto Molina 10. Xocoyotzin Herrera "Esperanza" (D.Indart, M.A.Escandon) 03:54 Arrangement: Daniel Indart Harp: Xocoyotzin Herrera Guitar: Joe Peña Bass: Lorenzo Chavez Martinez 11. Ixya Herrera and Adela Marquez "La Despedida" (M.Torres) P.D. 02:32 Arrangement: Xocoyotzin Herrera Harp: Xocoyotzin Herrera Guitarron, Violins: Ernesto Molina 12. Xocoyotzin Herrera "Valentin de la Sierra" (Traditional) 03:47 Arrangement: Xocoyotzin Herrera Harp, Harmonica: Xocoyotzin Herrera Guitarron, Violins: Ernesto Molina 13. Ixya Herrera "Ya Se Va La Embarcación" (Traditional) 02:10 Arrangement: Xocoyotzin Herrera Harp, Harmonica: Xocoyotzin Herrera Guitarron, Violins: Ernesto Molina Produced by Daniel Indart Executive Producer: Sara Traina Engineered and mixed by Daniel Indart and Danny Osuna, Indart Ranch Studios, Tarzana, California Cover Art by Aristides Hernandez “Ares” Graphics: Hector Cortez WWW.LMSRECORDS.COM File Under: World/Latin P & c 2007 LMS Records. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws. For lyrics, bios, and photos of the artists please refer to our web site: www.lmsrecords.com