Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández, led by fifth-generation mariachi musician José Hernández, formed in 1981. Hernández, born in Mexicali, Mexico, and raised in the United States, studied arrangement and composition at Grove School of Music before building the ensemble, which draws from his family's five generations of mariachi tradition from Jalisco's La Sierra del Tigre region. The group specializes in mariachi music, incorporating elements of classical, pop, jazz, swing, and show tunes. They have performed at major venues like Madison Square Garden, in cities including Beijing and Pyongyang, and at the White House for five U.S. presidents. Hernández has received multiple Grammy nominations, with sources citing eight to eleven. The ensemble is known for its annual Merry-Achi Christmas tour, featuring holiday classics such as 'El Niño del Tambor' and 'Nutcracker Medley' with mariachi arrangements. Live shows emphasize high-energy presentations of traditional and innovative mariachi repertoire. Hernández also promotes mariachi education through initiatives like the Mariachi Heritage Society.