The group that originated banda music and that has been around for over half a century, is coming to town this weekend.
Banda El Recodo will bring the Pima County Fair to a close with a concert on Sunday night.
The Latin Grammy-winning group is the face of banda, a type of brass-based traditional Mexican music.
El Recodo has won numerous awards. Last year its "Te Presumo" (Showing You Off) was song of the year after being tops on Mexican radio stations for 26 weeks. Fans here in the United States were equally crazy about the tune.
The band has sold more than 20 million CDs since its inception in 1938 by Don Cruz Lizárraga. The band continues today under the guidance of his two sons.
El Recodo is known by virtually every Mexican, and despite their fame, they come from humble beginnings.
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It all began with Lizárraga, who at 19 discovered the clarinet and fell in love with its sound.
He started out playing in dances around Mazatlán, but his talent drove him to start his own ensemble, named after his hometown El Recodo.
The band fused the sound of brass instruments with the musical style of the Big Bands in America.
They became a hit. Lizárraga dreamed of introducing this genre to other parts of the world, and had organized their first European tour when he became ill.
Cancer claimed his life in 1995, and his band had to perform without him.
Since then, his sons Alfonso and Joel have continued his legacy.
To this day, El Recodo has spread the banda sound to five continents and continues to sell out venues.
Also at the fair:
• Concerts: Orange County, Calif., metalcore band Atreyu plays tonight; country singer Jake Owen takes the stage Saturday. Both shows start at 8 p.m.
• Unlimited rides: Today you can get a wristband for $25 for unlimited rides. Bring in an unopened 20-ounce bottle of Dr Pepper or Diet Dr Pepper for five bucks off.
• 4H auctions: Large animal stock will be auctioned at 11:45 a.m. Saturday. The small animal auction is 10:30 a.m.Sunday.
• Tractor pulls: The fun starts at 10 a.m. with the garden tractors, which run again at 1 p.m. Full-sized tractors are at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
If you go
• What: Banda El Recodo in concert at the Pima County Fair.
• When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
• Where: Pima County Fair Grounds, 11300 S. Houghton Road.
• Cost: Included with fair admission of $7.
• Online: www.pimacountyfair.com
