Pride, joy and holiday spirit from Jose Hernández and Mariachi Sol de México

He’s played with everyone from Selena and Luis Miguel to Jose Feliciano, Linda Ronstadt to the Beach Boys, along with scores of symphony orchestras. But mariachi king Jose Hernández hasn’t forgotten his roots.

He comes from a family of fifth-generation musicians in Jalisco, Mexico, the birthplace of the mariachi sound.

He and his famed band, Mariachi Sol de México, come to the Golden State Theatre Thursday, Nov. 29, for a program of holiday music, including spirited performances of the “Nutcracker Suite,’’ “Silver Bells,’’ “Feliz Navidad,’’ and promote their new CD, A Merry-Achi Christmas.(Even if the pun is a little extreme, it is festive.)

“The music is universal – we’ve played for audiences from the Kennedy Center and Madison Square Garden to the Monterey Aquarium and Sunset Center,’’ says Hernández, speaking by cell phone before the Latin Grammys, where he was nominated for Leyendas de mi Pueblo.

“People see mariachi as bar or restaurant music, but these are musicians working at a very high level.’’

Committed to teaching youth about the art through the Mariachi Heritage Society, he studied with Nelson Riddle and Henry Mancini, and worked with Riddle’s collaborator, Linda Ronstadt, on her Grammy-winning CD Canciones de mi Padre.

The group has performed for five presidents, but Hernández demurs when asked if he’d accept a Trump invitation. “I think they reached out,’’ he says, “but for me, immigration reform is very important. I’m a believer in forgiveness for anyone, but actions speak louder than words.”

Meanwhile he looks forward to a chance to entertain – and educate.

“This should be a great night of happiness, music and family,” he says.

JOSE HERNANDEZ AND MARIACHI SOL DE MÉXICO 7:30 pm Thursday, Nov. 29. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $29-$59. 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com