Orlando Marquez
V e r sac e M a r i ac h i
Written By: Raven Encantado
Photo Collection By: Danny Rogers
In honor of Cinco De Mayo, the Mexican holiday celebrating Mexico’s
victory against France in the Battle at Puebla in 1862, we decided to in-
troduce you to one of New Mexico’s best Mariachis, Orlando Marquez.
Orlando is well known in the community for his marketing, sales and
people skills. He recently was given the opportunity to work with the
Hispano Chamber of Commerce as a membership engagement spe-
cialist. While he has a great reputation in working for some big name
car dealerships in Albuquerque, NM & Las Vegas, Nevada he is also no
stranger to the camera!
While living in Las Vegas he helped create the first standards based
Mariachi program. At the same time he worked at the Towbin Dodge
car dealership where A&E became interested in creating a reality TV
show based on the comical characters that the owner had the salesmen
dressed up as. Coming in to work one day in his Mariachi suit Orlan-
do also happened to be wearing a pair of Versace sunglasses. This is the
birth of the nickname that stuck with him, Versace Mariachi.
As Orlando gazes into the sky playing the sweet sound of his guitar, his
love for the music is obvious. Which brings no surprise that he is now
leading the way to create the same program he helped with in Las Vegas
right here in New Mexico!
He was involved in the assistance of passing a memorial at this years
legistature that will preserve and promote Mariachi music here in New
Mexico for years to come!
We congratulate this community advocate in all his success and look
forward to witness his future endeavors!