Tommy Archuleta
Poet Laureate of Santa Fe, New Mexico
Tommy Archuleta was appointed to serve as Santa Fe’s poet laureate. Tommy Archuleta is a Spanish writer and the author of Susto (University Press of Colorado, 2023), as well as Fieldnotes (Lily Poetry Review Press, 2023). A mental health therapist and substance abuse counselor, he lives in Santa Fe.
Edwin Felter
Blessing of the Land
If you live near Santa Fe, or even in the Southwest, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced the multi-faced talents of 23-year-old Edwin Felter. He sings, in a gorgeous voice. He dances with fluidity and grace: jazz, tap and, perhaps most importantly, traditional Native American hoop dance. He’s a scholar, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in engineering. He’s also deeply committed to his heritage as an instructor of Tewa, the ancestral language of Nambe Pueblo, where Felter was born and where he still lives. And last but certainly not least, Felter is an NDI New Mexico alumnus.
Annie Benjamin
Solo act, flute I sit in with numerous bands in Texas…. self produced three albums: Life’s Blessings in 2001, Some Kind of Wonder in 2007- and The Love and Light : Live at the Bath House Cultural Center-wrote all the music as well. I have a new recording project coming in 2022.
Oscar Butler
Introducing Oscar Butler, a consummate talent in the realm of music, blending soulful melodies with witty lyricism and expert acoustic guitar prowess. As a singer, songwriter, and delta-style guitarist, Oscar captivates audiences with his unique blend of charm and musical ingenuity. With a natural ease on stage, he effortlessly delivers his original compositions, infusing them with his often humorous take on life’s twists and turns. With his exceptional skill set and magnetic stage presence, Oscar is undoubtedly poised to enrapture audiences on whatever stage he may grace.
CW Ayon Band
CW Ayon may call the Southwestern deserts of New Mexico home but his soul is deeply rooted in the Blues and grooves of the Mississippi Hill Country. With a rather simple kick/snare and tambourine setup he lays down solid beats while picking out some catchy hooks on anything from acoustic to resonator guitars. Sometimes dropping in a bit of harmonica for good measure. All the while building a sound and playing style that is deceptively larger than it seems.
Recently CW has been playing gigs with a drummer and a bass player. Dubbed “The Longhairs” the trio has been steadily playing shows in and around the Southwest. One Man Band gigs are still going strong as well.
Levi Platero Band
Steeped in musical lessons as far back as teaching himself guitar at nine years old from a launchpad of the three Kings and Stevie Ray Vaughn, Platero’s leads and songwriting reflect a lifetime absorbing music. On “Work Hours,” Platero’s guitar work and songwriting style bring a breath of fresh air to a time-worn topic and make it new.
Billy D and the Hoodoos
In the last two years Billy D and the Hoodoos’ Somethin’s Wrong has charted on The Billboard Blues Album Charts once and Living Blues twice. It was named the Winner in the Blues Category of the 2013 UK Songwriting Contest, and The 12 videos from the DVD have recently surpassed the two-million-hit milestone on YouTube! The band was also awarded Best New Act by the Cascade Blues Association.
Billy D’s life experience has given him the strength to write his brand of “Bluzy Rock” with a passion that only comes from living it. Heavily influenced by Chicago blues, Rock & Roll, and “Backbeat Roots” music of all types, his songs reflect the tough lessons of his past and show his love for Mother Blues and her first-born, Rock & Roll.
The Rudy Boy Experiment
Southwest Rock and Blues innovators The Rudy Boy Experiment hail from the land of enchantment of Albuquerque New Mexico. The act has become very popular in the western U.S. This 3-piece group features the multi-talented Rudy “Boy” Jaramillo on vocals, as well as lead and rhythm guitar.
Chris Dracup and the Funk of The West featuring Malé
His most recent project – Chris Dracup: Funk of the West artfully combines American funk and blues with Afro pop style percussion – keenly orchestrated with the dance floor in mind! The group prominently features West Malidjembe and percussion virtuoso Malé Fainke as well as Chicago blues veteran Melvin Crisp on drums, New Mexico top tier bassist Jose Romero, and B-3 organ master and internationally touring keyboardist Brant Leeper.