La Santa Cecilia

La Santa Cecilia is an American band based in Los Angeles, California, known for blending cumbia, bossa nova, boleros, and a variety of other styles. The group derives its name from Santa Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians. Composed of lead singer Marisol “La Marisoul” Hernandez, accordionist and requinto player Jose “Pepe” Carlos, bassist Alex Bendaña, and percussionist Miguel “Oso” Ramirez, the band aims to represent a bicultural identity in the United States, deeply rooted in modern music while maintaining strong connections to their Latin American influences and Mexican heritage.

The band’s career has been marked by significant achievements, including a Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album in 2014 for their full-length studio album, *Treinta Días*. They received further Grammy nominations for *Buenaventura* in 2017 and *Y Vivir* in 2018 in the same category. La Santa Cecilia has performed at various venues and festivals across the U.S. and Mexico, such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. Their music has been featured in television shows like *Weeds* and *The Bridge*, and they contributed to film soundtracks for *Cantinflas*, *The Book of Life*, and Disney Pixar’s Oscar-winning film *Coco*.

Demonstrating their commitment to social issues, La Santa Cecilia released “Ice El Hielo” in 2013, a song that addresses illegal immigration and the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants and their families. This piece, created in collaboration with filmmaker Alex Rivera and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, brought a human perspective to the issue. The band’s discography includes multiple studio albums, starting with *Noche y Citas* in 2010, which earned a Latin Grammy nomination for the single “La Negra.” Their commitment to their heritage and creative evolution continues to define their impact on contemporary music.