Mar 29, 2019
The Mariachi Cobre has been entertaining guests traveling around Epcot’s World Showcase since opening day making them one of the best-known Mariachi bands in the world. The internationally-acclaimed performers share that opening day distinction with only the Voices of Liberty. The Mariachi Cobre started in 1971, a full 10 years before Epcot Opening Day. It was formed by Randy Carrillo with the support of his younger brother Steve, his friend Mack Ruiz, and musical arranger, Frank Grijalva. Mariachi played in Anaheim at Disneyland for a Cinco De Mayo event not long after they became an opening day addition to Epcot where they have been playing ever since. The group has worked with such renowned artists as Linda Ronstadt, Julio Iglesias, Vicki Carr, Lucha Villa, Lola Beltran, Ana Gabriel, Guadalupe Pineda, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Rocio Banquells, and Beatriz Adriana. Those recordings include: Mariachi Cobre, Este es Mi Mariachi and XXV Anniversary.
While the Mariachi Cobre continues to entertain guests with traditional Mexican music, they recently added an element of storytelling to their performance. Starting in March 2019, the Mariachi will present “The Story of Coco” along with a few Folklorico dancers to tell the tale of Miguel Rivera, his love of music, and his journey to find what matters most, his familia. The dancers will perform to the music of the film, and Miguel himself appears in the form of a hand-crafted puppet.
Be sure to check your times guide; typically the Mariachi Cobre performs 5 days a week, with specific shows dedicated to the “Story of Coco”