Editor’s Note: This article was written for Mosaic, an independent journalism training program for high school and college students who report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.
“Keep our Chicano music alive!” boomed soul musician and producer George Kerr from the stage as the large crowd cheered back, kicking off the fifth Chicano Soul Fest in San Jose’s History Park. An estimated 3,000 people filled the main field, drawn by the festival’s celebration of Chicano music, culture and community on a Saturday in late August.
The large Chicano turnout showcased the Bay Area’s vibrant Mexican American population. Chicanos, or Mexican Americans, make up over 80% of the total Hispanic population in San Jose, whose Hispanic population is the largest in the Bay Area. Chicano soul — a combination of jazz, hip-hop and African R&B — is a unique aspect of California Chicano life.
Andre Cruz and the Black Diamond Rhythm Band perform a tribute to soul legend George Kerr at History Park in San Jose, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Maggie Hu/Mosaic)
A red lowrider parked at the front of a line of cars is a pop of color against the gray asphalt. The cars were the reason teenager Luca Perez and her younger brother came to the Chicano Soul Fest at History Park in San Jose, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Maggie Hu/Mosaic)
Families mingle on the main field as they wait for the next performance. People also browsed booths selling traditional Mexican arts at History Park, on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Maggie Hu/Mosaic)
Debra Herbin of the Ultimates sings a lyric about community and prosperity at History Park in San Jose, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Maggie Hu/Mosaic)
Vintage lowriders such as this green lowrider drew friends Nevaeh Martinez and Lylah Romero to the festival at History Park in San Jose, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. “There’s no violence, just peace,” Martinez said. “It’s easy to find similar interests with people and talk about cars.” (Maggie Hu/Mosaic)
A couple walks down a path surrounded by Lowrider cars at History Park on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. Lowriders first peaked in popularity in the Chicano community to represent resilience from oppression after World War 2. (Maggie Hu/Mosaic)
From left to right, Claudia Navas, Sandra Quiroz and Luisa Banuet pose in costumes, which Banuet designed and handcrafted herself, inspired by the Mexican flag during the Chicano Soul Fest at History Park in San Jose, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Maggie Hu/Mosaic)
The Ultimates harmonize together on the main stage of the Chicano Soul Fest. Families, teenagers and couples danced to diverse artists such as the Ultimates at History Park in San Jose, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Maggie Hu/Mosaic)
Over 200 of Lowriders lined History Park, attracting a large crowd on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Maggie Hu/Mosaic)
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Andre Cruz and the Black Diamond Rhythm Band perform a tribute to soul legend George Kerr at History Park in San Jose, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Maggie Hu/Mosaic)
“Look at the vibes!” people watcher David Sabe said as he sat with his family and munched burritos from the food trucks nearby. He took in the scene of couples dancing together on the field. “It’s a celebration no matter which part of Latin culture that you come from.”
The crowd roared as Andre Cruz, a Bay Area sensation and joyful soul singer, took the stage. As Cruz belted out strong notes with his Black Diamond Rhythm Band, audience members pulled up their kids and partners to dance and clap along. Cruz performed a special tribute to Kerr, who watched the performance nearby.
“I felt that responsibility to keep [his work] moving forward,” said Dulce Fernandez, organizer of the Chicano Soul Fest, who created the tribute to Kerr’s achievements. She highlighted his collaborations with influential artists and producers in the soul genre such as Sylvia Robinson and Motown’s Berry Gordy.
Throughout the day, families, teenagers and couples danced to diverse artists such as the Ultimates and Sunny Ozuna under the bright summer sun. Beyond the field, people ordered Mexican dishes from food trucks and browsed booths selling traditional Mexican arts.
“A lot of people don’t recognize Aztec culture,” vendor Adam Gonzalez said, surrounded by bright blue feather earrings and beaded hummingbird keychains. His booth Tochtli Cultural Wear keeps the ancestry alive by creating traditional Aztec clothing, jewelry and accessories. “It’s important to remember your roots and ancestors, to share these values.”
The festival also showcased another aspect of Chicano culture: over 200 lowrider cars lined up through the park, attracting a large crowd throughout the day. The vintage cars drew teenagers and friends Nevaeh Martinez and Lylah Romero to the festival.
“There’s no violence, just peace,” Martinez said. “It’s easy to find similar interests with people and talk about cars.”
Lowriders first peaked in popularity in the community to represent resilience amid racism and segregation, and their significance today continues to transcend generations.
“[The cars] bring people together. I’m glad I came, especially getting to meet people my age,” teenager Luca Perez said. Perez and her younger brother came with their mom for the lowriders. She also admired culture-themed outfits and dresses, including three women, who wore handcrafted traditional costumes known as Las Catrinas.
“Art has no borders, and it is a powerful way to share our heritage with the entire world,” said Luisa Banuet, who painstakingly created the Las Catrinas outfits, three of many themed costumes she designs for her community.
The Chicano Soul Fest had a broad reach. As Sabe chatted with his family, he noticed that people of all backgrounds attended.
“It’s a melting pot,” he said. “That’s California.”
Organizer Fernandez proudly brings her community’s voices together through the festival. Like George Kerr, she had a message for younger generations. “I want them to be inspired by the culture itself, the pride of how far [the Chicano community has] come together, and to be inspired to carry it forward.”
Maggie Hu is a member of the class of 2029 at the Harker School in San Jose.