Jazz in Mexico

See also: Category:Mexican jazz musicians

In the 1920s, jazz musicians in the United States began moving to Mexico to find work during prohibition.^[1]

Mexican big bands

Mexico is linked to the big band format. The main reason has to do with the settlement of the famous Cuban Dámaso Pérez Prado, who lived in Mexico from 1949 until his death in 1989.

The Mexican actor, orchestra director, and singer Luis Arcaraz was called Mexico's Jazz King by RKO-Pathé. In 1955, Down Beat magazine positioned Arcaraz's band as number four around the world.^{[citation needed]}

Mexico City

In Mexico City there is a beautiful blend of seasoned veterans and beginner jazz musicians. Anyone who goes to Mexico City will see a multitude of jazz cafes, underground jazz bars, and various jazz bands all working together from various backgrounds.^[2]

Particularly, jazz musicians from all over the country go to Mexico City to realize their jazz talents. Because of this, many musicians go into the jazz scene coming from different and diverse musical backgrounds such as marimba or Mexican rock.^[2]

Origins of Jazz in Mexico

During the late 19th century and the early 20th century Jazz exponentially grew in the United States, whilst Mexican artists copied their composition and musical interpretations and made them their own. Various popular examples included Orquestra Escalante , Los Siete Locos De Jazz, Tacos Jazz Banda, Orquestra Obre.^[3]

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Around the 1920's economic prosperity in Mexico made Mexico City, and other popular cities, a desirable spot for Afro-Antillean migrants who with them brought the presence of Afro-Antillean Music.^[4] Combined with the already growing jazz culture in Mexico the result was something very similar to what was already being made in the United States.^[3] This is because in Mexico, variations of jazz with Mexican Waltz and Blues existed creating a very similar cultural product that simultaneously emerged alongside the United States.

In 1935 American record labels contributed to the growing jazz culture by setting up production plants in Mexico.^[4] The first and most notable one being RCA Victor, world renowned record label now under SONY. However, although it increased the reach of jazz and Afro-Antillean Variations, only the wealthiest elites could afford it initially. Despite this, radio technologies began improving at this time allowing underclass families and individuals access to jazz.^[5]

Further reading

Zuckermann, Alberto (2022). El jazz en la ciudad de México, 1960- 1969. Madrid: Fondo de Cultura Económica. ISBN 9786071676351.

References

1. Alzuphar, Adolf (2023-07-04). "Xochiquetzal's Feast". Brooklyn Rail.
2. "A Jazz Perspective on Mexico City". Ethnomusicology Review. Retrieved 2025-10-12.
3. Aymes, Roberto; Aponte, Pedro R. (October 1, 1999). Jazz Development in Mexico: A History of Effort and Perseverance Against All Predictions (2nd ed.). International Jazz Archive Journal.
4. Hernández Romero, Ramiro (June 2020). "El jazz en México a mediados del siglo XX". Revista musical chilena. 74 (233): 28–48. doi:10.4067/S0716-27902020000100028. ISSN 0716-2790.
5. "'Sobre Las Olas': A Mexican Genesis in Borderlands Jazz and the Legacy for Ethnic Studies". orbiscascade-washington.primo.exlibrisgroup.com. Retrieved 2025-10-18.