Ersi and Friends: Panel Discussion and Concert feat. Ersi Arvizu
Watch livestream: https://schoolofmusic.ucla.edu/school-of-music-live-streams/#schoenberg-...
Ersi Arvizu is an American singer known for her contributions to Chicano music. Arvizu gained recognition as a member of the band The Sisters and later as a solo artist. She is often associated with the East L.A. music scene and is considered a prominent figure in the Chicano rock and soul movement. Ersi Arvizu's musical style incorporates elements of traditional Mexican music, R&B, and soul, creating a unique blend that reflects her cultural heritage. Over the years, she has collaborated with various musicians and contributed to the rich tapestry of Chicano music. From 1963 to 1968, Ersi performed with The Sisters, the first all-girl group to record and perform in Chicano Rock. Ersi, Rosella, and Mary Arvizu entered the all-male world of Chicano Rock comfortably and confidently in 1963. At the peak of their career, The Sisters had the number three hit in Southern California, "Gee Baby Gee,“ and their local success led to their performing with great artists such as Steve Wonder, Ike and Tina Turner, and Sonny and Cher. Ersi began her solo career in 1968, singing and performing with local groups such as the Village Callers and the VIP’s, who later became El Chicano. With El Chicano, she achieved international fame with the breakout hit “Sabor A Mi,” a staple in Latino neighborhoods throughout the United States. Although her professional boxing career was short-lived, she maintained a 4-0 record while she was active in the ring. Alongside her father, she became a boxing trainer and trained boys ages 6 to 13 on the discipline and techniques of boxing, and took them to Hawaii to show them that dreams are achievable through discipline and dedication. Ersi Arvizu—composer, vocalist, successful boxer and trainer, and philanthropist – an icon of the Latino community! Ersi is represented by Brown Fist Productions LLC, a company that features the finest in Latino entertainment!
***
The panel discussion will feature Ersi Arvisu, Maria Elena Yepes, Teresa Covarrubias, David Reyes, and Steven Loza.
This event is made possible thanks to support from the UCLA Center for Latino Arts (CLA) and the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center (CSRC).