Tucson festival pays tribute to Tejano legend

This year's second annual event on Saturday, March 21, could be even bigger with Mexican Institute of Sound at the top of the lineup.

MIS, the brainchild of Mexico City DJ/producer Camilo Lara, fuses electronica with funk, cumbia and traditional and Mexican folk influences that weave together Mexico's vibrant cultural tapestry.

Lara’s work both as a producer and artist earned him a Grammy and eight Latin Grammy nominations in a career that goes back 20 years and has landed him one Grammy and eight Latin Grammy nominations. His credits include producing "Los Ángeles Azules," Mexico's biggest-selling album in 25 years, and working with a wide range of artists from rap superstar Santa Fe Klan and the king of Corridos Tumbados Natanael Cano, to legends like Lila Downs, Norah Jones and Tucson's own Calexico.

But the biggest emotional focus of Saturday's event will be a tribute to Tejano legend Ruben “El Gato Negro” Ramos, the 86-year-old two-time Grammy-winning Tejano Hall of Famer who brings his latest album to Baila el Pueblo. 

The album was produced by Texas singer-songwriter Carrie Rodriguez, who sings on the record, and Tucson's own Sergio Mendoza. Both will be on stage with Ramos at Saturday's concert at Cathedral Square, 192 S. Stone Ave. The festival area includes stages on the Monsignor Carrillo Plaza on Ochoa Street between Church and Stone avenues.

Also on Saturday's lineup:

• La Texana, the 5-year-old alternative Spanish rock project of Tijuana, Baja California, musician José Ramírez, whose sound is inspired by alt-rock and post-punk.
• Hermosillo-based singer-songwriter Dámaris Bójor is credited with creating a new genre dubbed “Folkpirano,” which she described as "a blend of campirano, the regional music of Sierra de Sonora, Sinaloa, and American folk/country."

"The sound is string music. One guitar, a twelve-string, bass, and occasional harmonica and percussion," she added. "I consider Miguel Y Miguel to be the roots of the genre.”

• Tucson's all-female mariachi Las Azaleas.

• Sage Lacapa from the White Mountain Apache tribe pushes the boundaries of Americana on his recent studio album "Golden Wave Woman," described as a love letter of tension and truth, as told through melodic and catchy hooks and bluesy guitar solos.

• D Faktion Nyne, the Sells-based Tohono O'odham waila family band, is back. The band includes brothers and sisters, their father and a nephew/grandson performing waila music. 

D Faktion Nyne was on the lineup for last year's inaugural festival.

KXCI Executive Director Elva De La Torre said the “festival is our chance to transform the noise of the world and focus on the beautiful sounds of the Borderlands."

"There’s something special about coming together in celebration of music and culture," she said, calling the festival "a true melding of traditions, cultures, food and language."

"This year’s festival will bring local musicians together with artists from Tijuana to Texas to Mexico City for what promises to be an incredible musical occasion," she said.

Doors open for Saturday's event at 3 p.m. with the music running from 4-11 p.m. Tickets are $45 in advance through kxci.org, or $50 day of, with discounts for KXCI members. 

In addition to music, food vendors will be on site. Details at kxci.org.