Originales Met With Enthusiastic Crowd in Milwaukee

Milwaukee – Reyna’s Events located on 6^th and National was once again the site of yet another exciting dance night for the Latino population of Milwaukee’s south side; as it hosted the Mexican regional band known as Los Originales de San Juan on the night of May 27.

This is the second time the Originales come here to Milwaukee. Their lead singer Jesus ‘Chuy’ Chavez says that he likes coming here, because he likes the city and its people.

“I want to thank the public for all of their support,” said Chavez. “I like that people come and enjoy our music without fighting at the events.”

The band came out to a roomful of over 60 enthusiastic fans who sang and danced to all of their songs which played for well over an hour.

Among the gathering of passionate fans was Luis Fuentes, a Guatemalan immigrant who began listening to notrneño corridos 10 years ago at the age of 17.

“I came to the States at the age of 15 and honestly I hated corridos,” said Fuentes. “But as I began to listen to the message that they’re portraying, I began to fall in love with them.”

Fuentes says that he enjoyed the concert as much as possible surrounded by his closest friends, but wishes that they could have played a bit longer.

The Originales de San Juan originated in Fresno California in 1990, and specializes in norteño music. This is a genre of music that is incredibly popular across northern Mexico, as well as the southwest of the United States. Chavez said the band members met each other in several clubs and bars of Fresno, and slowly began to find a common ground with their ambition to create a band.

With over 25 years of their artistic career under their belt, the band has obtained wide recognition across Mexico and the U.S., which has enabled them to make a total of 41 albums.

“El Campesino” was their 41^st album, which was made available to the public just about a week ago. Chavez says that he personally doesn’t like that number; therefore, they’re already working on their 42^nd album, which they hope will be coming to the public soon enough.

For many of the norteño fans across the world, Los Originales is now positioned amongst the legendary norteño bands of Mexican music. Jesus Chavez still wants to accredit Los Invasores de Nuevo Leon as one of their major artistic inspirations, as well as the motivation to become who they are today.

The band has maintained their original lineup since their origins, only suffering the loss by cause of death of one of their band members, José “Yeyo” Humberto Chávez.

“No group works like we work,” said Chavez. “Here no one is bigger than (an)other one; if we win something we distribute the earnings evenly, and if we lose something we distribute the loss evenly as well.”

After the Originales payed their last song, the entire crowed chanted “otra, otra, otra…” over and over again. They all wanted the band to play for a few more songs in order to keep dancing and singing to their musical hits.

The event lasted a total of 6 hours, all full of regional norteña music, and a crowed of enthusiastic people who enjoyed the show without any skirmishes whatsoever.