Juan Ortiz

Señor Juan Ortiz is a native of San Antonio’s West Side and a two-time Grammy award winner. His premier Mariachi band, founded in 1978, has helped define the culturally rich sound of San Antonio’s diverse music scene. The band’s name, Mariachi Campanas de America, translates in English to “The Bells of America,” and is named after Juan’s wife, Belle Ortiz, also known as San Antonio’s “Mother of Mariachi”.

Borrowing from traditions that go back to the early 1800s, Ortiz has consistently educated the community about Mariachi’s history, while also making it contemporary and culturally relevant. While there are many factors that make Mariachi Campanas de America an innovative group, none are more apparent than the presence of the instruments not normally associated with traditional Mariachi groups. The introduction of these instruments gives the band unmatched versatility and a contemporary sound while preserving the authentic traditions of Mariachi.

Through Señor Ortiz’s efforts, Mariachi Campanas de America has gained national recognition, public support, and has served its philosophy that education is key to cultural enrichment. This passion has earned Ortiz and his band notable performances over the years, including several Washington D.C. appearances, including the Presidential Hispanic Inaugural Gala in honor of the re-election of Bill Clinton (1996); several appearances on the Millennium Stage of the Grand Foyer at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; and a live performance at the White House for President and Mrs. Bush (2003). Mariachi Campanas de America also performed at the Hispanic Heritage Awards in 1999, 2000, and 2004, with the last of these appearances televised nationwide on NBC and Telemundo.