Chicago Teens Climb Billboard Charts With Newest Mariachi Album

By Jason Marck
2 Young Mariachis
Marco Villela is a trumpeter and vocalist and Zullydiana Gomez is a violinist in the group Mariachi Herencia de Mexico, a group of young Chicago musicians making a national splash performing and recording mariachi WBEZ/Jason Marck
2 Young Mariachis
Marco Villela is a trumpeter and vocalist and Zullydiana Gomez is a violinist in the group Mariachi Herencia de Mexico, a group of young Chicago musicians making a national splash performing and recording mariachi WBEZ/Jason Marck

Chicago Teens Climb Billboard Charts With Newest Mariachi Album

By Jason Marck
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Chicago is filled with fantastic musicians. So it’s not a huge surprise when a new album by a local group rockets up the charts. But Mariachi Herencia de Mexico is a little different. 

The band is made up of 11 to 19 year-olds playing music their parents and grandparents grew up with. Their new album, “Herencia de la Tierra” debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Latin Album Sales chart and No. 5 on the Regional Mexican Albums Chart when it was released in June.

Trumpeter and Vocalist Marco Villela and violinist Zullydiana Gomez talk about their love for mariachi, rigorous practice schedule, and the thrill of getting national and international notoriety.

GUESTS: Marco Villela, trumpet and vocals

Zullydiana Gomez, violin

LEARN MORE: Mariachi Herencia de Mexico