The Musicians — Los músicos A gallery of images. Historical photographs by Irene Welch Garner Alfaro Family Collection  The musicians at Padua Hills Theatre were an important part of the Mexican Players interpretation at Padua Hills Theatre. But their contributions to the actual productions are not their only legacy. In addition to interpreting standard Mexican repertoire of the period with energy and charisma, the Padua Hills musicians were called upon to perform and record the dance music of “early California,” thereby preserving those pieces of California heritage.

Historic Padua Hills Flyer

Músicos Image #1
Los californios^® Collection

José Cruz Zagala with violín

Músicos Image #2
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection

Unidentified guitarist

Músicos Image #3
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection

Blas Tellez with his salterio

Músicos Images #4 and 5
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection

 Julian Perez

Músicos Images #6 and 7
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection

Manuel Gonzales

Músicos Image #8
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection

Identification provided by José Abundiz,
the son of Padua Hills performers Luis and María Abundiz

Ernestino Guzmán with guitarrón

Músicos Image #9
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection

Unidentified guitar players

Músicos Image #10
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection

Unidentified violinist

Músicos Image #11
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection

Unidentified guitarrón player

Músicos Image #12
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection

Unidentified guitarrón player

Músicos Image #13
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection

Alejandra Ordoñez (singer),
Alfonso Ordoñez (guitar) &
Enrique Ordoñez (salterio)

Músicos Image #14
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection

Identification provided by Ms. Ali Ordoñez, the daughter of Alejandra and Enrique, and sister to Alfonso

Joe Tolentino, Padua Hills in background

Músicos Image #15
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection


Identified by Suellen.

Francisco (Paco) Velázquez (salterio)

Músicos Image #16
Historical photograph attributed to Irene Welch Garner

Image negative donated by Brian Hogan, in memory of his grandmother, Isabel Fages, who worked at Padua Hills Theatre. Identification as written on negative envelope.

From the Fages Collection
Now in Los Californios^® Collection

Unidentified violinist

Músicos Image #17
Historical photograph by Irene Welch Garner
Alfaro Family Collection

If your family has recollections or images of Padua Hills Theatre that you would like to share on this web site, please contact Los californios^® at info@loscalifornios.com.

© Vykki Mende Gray, 2020
All rights reserved.

Web design: Ellen Wallace and Vykki Mende Gray
All rights reserved.

Los californios^® is a registered trademark belonging to
San Diego Friends of Old-Time Music, Inc.,
a California non-profit corporation.

Portal | Los californios^® Home | Early California Music | San Diego Friends of Old-Time Music | Sitemap