Mariachi Champaña Nevín has made a name for itself as a virtuoso ensemble of uncompromising quality with a multicultural aesthetic unique in the world of music. Led by accomplished classical and mariachi trumpeter, composer, professor and author Jeff Nevin, Ph.D., this ensemble’s performances, recordings and workshops have thrilled and inspired mariachi and classical-music enthusiasts alike. Turning effortlessly from very traditional Mexican standards to transcriptions of beloved works from classical music literature, their skill and authenticity within both of these traditions is a thrill to behold. In every performance they embody the best of both worlds.
With the creation of Symphonic Mariachi Champaña Nevín, Jeff Nevin has augmented the mariachi’s string section, creating a lush sound that truly delights and amazes. This is a unique ensemble of the finest “born and bred” mariachi musicians together with world-class classical musicians, a combination that creates a sound and spirit unlike any other. The only mariachi in the world of its kind, Symphonic Mariachi Champaña Nevín boasts current or former members of mariachis Vargas de Tecalitlán, Sol de México, Los Camperos and others along with current or former principal strings and trumpets from orchestras including the San Diego Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Orquesta Filharmónica de la Ciudad de México, and Orqesta de Baja California. These musicians’ unique virtuosity makes their ensemble the ideal one to accompany the growing number of world-class opera singers now singing mariachi music, and as such they have performed with Placido Domingo, Monica Abrego, Florencia Tinoco Barone, Daniel Hendrick and others.
Spearheading the newest trend in mariachi music, Jeff Nevin—drawing on his unique position as Ph.D. in Music Composition and life-long mariachi musician—has expertly created hours of original and traditional music scored for mariachi and symphony orchestra, including the world’s first Concerto for Mariachi and Orchestra (“Pasión Mexicana”), the world’s first song cycle for mariachi (“Al Aire Libre / Canciones Para Entrar en Materia / from the poetry of Alberto Blanco”), a wonderful Mexican Christmas celebration (“La Fiesta de la Nochebuena”), and numerous original arrangements of traditional mariachi songs. Together with Mariachi Champaña Nevín and occasionally alone as a soloist/conductor, Jeff Nevin has performed this music with the San Diego Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Aguascalientes Symphony, San Bernardino Symphony, Orquesta de Baja California, San Diego Chamber Orchestra, Idaho Falls Symphony and the La Jolla Symphony—bridging borders both musically and culturally.
Jeff Nevin and Mariachi Champaña Nevín have appeared on television in at least 7 countries, they have recorded 5 full-length compact discs most recently becoming the first mariachi to release a full-length solo CD with a major American orchestra (“Classic – Mariachi – LIVE!” with the San Diego Symphony), they are featured in the documentary film Viva el Mariachi, they recorded the theme song to the Televisa TV program Viva California, Viva Mexico which airs 12 times per week, and they have become frequent guests of KPBS radio and television in San Diego both performing live in studio and conducting interviews discussing various issues related to their work.
As soloists with major symphony orchestras, in recital performances, educational performances, on recordings or while conducting student workshops, Mariachi Champaña Nevín never fails to enthrall and inspire!
