As the sneak preview of The Mariachi Miracle approaches on August 14, 2022, I wanted to share a few clips that won’t make it into this film but which I find absolutely beautiful. This is a clip from 2013 when Alberto Ranjel was teaching mariachi at Tucson High School. Here’s some of his observations of what mariachis do.

Alberto Ranjel is one of Tucson’s foremost mariachi musicians and educators. The musical director of the renowned Mariachi Tapatio, Ranjel played with Mariachi Los Changuitos Feos as a boy, studied music and education tab the University of Arizona, taught mariachi at Tucson High, the University of Arizona, with Los Changuitos Feos and an assortment of mariachi conferences and workshops. Presently he is the principal at University High School in Tucson. His dad before him was a mariachi, and he has literally lived and breathed the music since he was a baby. He and brother Louie Ranjel went to sleep at night listening to Mariachi Cobre records, dreaming of one day becoming part of the group. And now Louie is doing just that.

Press the link below to hear Beto Ranjel’s reflection.

Beto Rangel on What Mariachis do.

Beto Ranjel is a hugely important figure in Tucson’s mariachi scene. Honored that he and so many others have shared their time and thoughts on the mariachi experience with me.

For more on the coming Mariachi Miracle sneak peek at the Fox Tucson Theatre click here.