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General Description of Work: RJ Hernandez performs the traditional rhythms and ballads originating from Mexico City, Mexico.
While there are many Latin American traditional musicians in Iowa, the most well- known are from México, Colombia, and Panamá. Most Mexican American groups here play mariachi, banda, big band, Tex-Mex, and trio style music. Mariachi bands, such as Mariachi Los Charros de Jalisco of Sioux City, include trumpets and violins as well as guitars and vocalists. Romantic trios or quartets like Las Guitarras de México of Des Moines feature requinto, guitarrón, guitarra, and rhythm instruments playing and singing boleros, cumbias, rancheras, corridos, huapangos, and jarochos. Banda music appeals to a younger audience and features the sound of marching bands. Tex-Mex groups such as Norberto y los Muchachos of Muscatine feature accordions and play the music of northern México and southern Texas.
Bio: RJ Hernandez is one of the original members and leaders of Las Guitarras de Mexico, one of Iowa’s most popular guitar quartets. Hernandez learned to play rhythm guitar from his father (who was taught by the Mastero Pompeo in Mexico City), and honed his skills to include a vast array of traditional musical styles, including boleros, huapangos, rancheros, nortenos, and jarachos, and has expanded to include familiar hits from country, jazz, blues, and rock.
A graduate of the University of Iowa, RJ performed at his own Mexican restaurant (Raul’s Mexican Food in Des Moines) with Las Guitarras de Mexico; the group was invited to perform alongside musicians Ray Charles and Pancho Sanchez, and at the National Cultural Arts Festival and the International World Food Prize Festival, and continues to perform at local and regional festivals, corporate events, and schools. Besides performing regularly with Las Guitarras de Mexico, he provides workshops on traditional music and rhythms for the not-for-profit World of Difference.
As part of Las Guitarras de Mexico, RJ Hernandez represented Iowa in the Global Sounds, Heartland Beats Midwest tour in 2000/2001, at the 2001 Festival of Iowa Folklife, the IAC's touring program Cultural Express, the 2007 Midwest Folk Fest in Columbus Junction (Hispanic Festival), and for a variety of other programs.
In 1996, RJ created LA LUZ (“the light”), a program for youth that incorporates performance, interaction, education, and hands-on participation to teach character, values, and cultural pride. RJ is a highly-requested teacher/performer for schools, colleges, cultural festivals, and corporate events throughout the Midwest, and continues to share insight into cultural pride, personal expression, and global awareness through his work.
Services Offered 1: Traditional music and rhythms from Mexico-workshop for schools, festivals, and community programs.
Regions: All Regions
Months available: : All
Performance fees, mileage charges, related to arts services: : $250 plus expenses
Accessibility accommodations, space requirements, equipment and all other needs that should be met by sponsors: : Call to discuss
