Ravinia 2025 Issue 6

LA ORIGINAL BANDA EL LIMÓN La Original Banda el Limón is one of the most storied groups in contemporary Mexican ban- da, founded by clarinetist Salvador Lizárraga Sánchez in Mazatlán, Sinaloa. Throughout their history, the group has balanced old and new forms more than others; although their sound and arrangements are nothing if not traditional, they were one of the first banda artists to am- plify and synthesize their sound, as well as to feature vocalists. The 17-piece band has featured many iconic singers during its history, includ- ing Julio Preciado, Jorge Cordero, José Ángel Ledezma “El Coyote,” Nico Flores, Luis Anto- nio López (“El Mimoso”), Chuy and Antonio Lizárraga, Israel Valdez, and Lorenzo Méndez. Today, the group features three excellent vocal- ists: José Ramón Maldonado, Kevin Melendres, and Víctor Noriega. During the 1990s, La Orig- inal Banda el Limón solidified itself interna- tionally as Sinaloa’s top band, by 1997 holding top spot on Billboard ’s Hot Latin Tracks chart for nearly a full year and earning multiple gold and platinum records. Since the ’90s, the group has delivered numerous iconic performances in North America, from a 1997 show at the Los Angeles Coliseum to a pair of 2012 highlights— Reliant Stadium in Houston and Estadio Azteca in Mexico City—to shows in the Zócalo (Con- stitution Square) at the heart of Mexico city in 2015 and 2019. La Original Banda el Limón has won two Latin Grammy Awards (and two further nominations) as well as honors from ASCAP, BMI, and Billboard as a group at the top of their genre. The prolific musicians have released more than 40 albums since the 1990s, introducing their current singers on 2019’s De Aquí Pa’l Real . GRUPO CAÑAVERAL Grupo Cañaveral, one of the leading cumbia groups in Mexico, was founded in 1995 to high- light the roots of the genre. Humberto Pabón Olivares and his son, singer-songwriter, music producer, and DJ Emir Pabón, have enriched cumbia with collaborations with beloved artists from across the continent. Beyond his career producing Grupo Cañaveral, Emir Pabón has been featured on such reality TV shows as Big Brother , Bailando Por Un Sueño , En busca de la pareja ideal , and Celebrity Master Chef , among others. Grupo Cañaveral’s cumbia reaches across generations with dance hits like: “Tiene Pinas El Rosal,” “No Te Voy A Perdonar,” “Has- ta El Cielo Lloro,” and “Echarme Al Olvido.” With a prolific career and the love of their au- diences, the band has over three billion global streams and a track record of more than dozen diamond, platinum, and gold records for songs that have become part of the musical identity of several generations. They have collaborated with artists such as Lucero, Diego Verdagu- er, Leo Dan, Belinda, Yuri, Pedro Fernández, María José, Matute, Bronco, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Ana Bárbara, Alexander Acha, and many more. Grupo Cañaveral continues to tour top venues in Mexico, the United States, Lat- in America, and Europe, inspiring more gen- erations to become enchanted by their unique sound. Maintaining their innovative streak, Humberto Pabón’s Grupo Cañaveral recently collaborated with Mexican rapper Lefty SM on “Ingrata (Remix),” fusing their trademark cum- bia sound with the rhymes and urban style that characterizes the Sonoran rapper, and have also teamed up with singer Adriel Favela for an ex- ceptional combination of cumbia and mariachi. COMO LA FLOR: ULTIMATE SELENA TRIBUTE EXPERIENCE Founded in 2011, The Como La Flor Band has become one of the most popular nationally touring Selena tributes in the US, celebrated for its heartfelt dedication to Selena Quintanilla, the “Queen of Tex-Mex.” Based out of Holtville, CA, this tribute band has captivated audiences across the country and internationally, bringing Selena’s timeless music to life with authenticity, passion, and respect. The Como La Flor Band re-creates the magic of Selena’s performances, from her iconic final concert in Houston to the vibrant early days of her career. Each show is a high-energy journey through Selena’s most beloved hits, delivered by a lineup of seasoned musicians whose chemistry on stage is unde- niable. Collectively, the band members bring a wealth of experience, having performed with iconic artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Marc An- thony, Alejandro Fernández, and Carlos San- tana. This diverse background enriches every show with a depth of musical expertise and a wide range of influences. With every perfor- mance, each note and beat is played live—no pre-recorded tracks, just the pure, authentic sound of live music. Dedicated to keeping Sele- na’s music alive for all generations, The Como La Flor Band celebrates her enduring impact on music and culture. RAVINIA.ORG  • RAVINIAMAGAZINE 85