This is the band's sixth studio album. As it has done in the past, the two-time Grammy nominated ensemble records old Mexican folk tunes with passion, energy and the most advanced production resources available to them. This album features three original compositions by three different members of the band exploring deep aspects of Mexican folk music and also going outside of the box. 13 B'ak'tun is named after the thirteenth turning of the Mayan long-count calendar on December 21, 2012, which completed a 5,200 year cycle. For the band, as it did for the Mayas, this event represented the end of an era and a time for a new beginning and re-invention. The band takes some bold steps and reaches outside of the traditional Mexican repertoire by exploring Chinese music, jazz, odd-time signatures, classical, and even a dance hall remix. ABOUT THE BAND Sones de México Ensemble is a non-profit music organization and a sextet of talented musicians with a mission to promote greater appreciation of Mexican folk and traditional music and culture through innovative performance, education, and dissemination. CREDITS Sones de México Ensemble is: Víctor Pichardo, music director Juan Díes Lorena Íñiguez Juan Rivera Zacbé Pichardo Javier Saume Mazzei Guest Musicians: Bohola (13) (Jimmy Keane, Patrick Broaders, and Sean Cleland), René Cardoza (13); Renato Cerón (3,4,13); Chicago Brass Quintet (13) (John Hagstrom, Don Sipe, Peter Jirousek, James Gilbertsen, Rex Martin); Raúl Fernández (13); Carlos García (4); Víctor García (4,11); Jim Massoth (11); Joel Martínez (3,4); Maria McCullough (4); Carlos Mejía (11); Ramón Sánchez (4); The Yellow River Performing Arts Ensemble (9) (Janice Yang, Guang Long Li, and Brent Roman) All songs arranged by Víctor Pichardo unless otherwise noted. Produced by Juan Díes and Sones de México Ensemble Music Director: Víctor Pichardo Mixed by Steve Weeder at Chicago Recording Company Assistant Engineer: Austin Thompson Recording Engineers: Steve Yates (tracks 1,2,3,6,7,10,11), Steve Weeder (5,12), Chris Steinmetz (4), Ron Lowe (8,9), and Chris Greene (13) Recording Producer: Ramón Sánchez (4) Mastered by Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room Cover art by Héctor Duarte Photography by: Todd Winters and Luis Jahn