Lorenzo Trujillo

            Lorenzo Trujillo is the director of the Southwest Musicians.  He was awarded the 1996 Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, acknowledging his work as a folk violinist, guitarist, and vocalist, among his other accomplishments as a musician, ethnic dancer, folklorist, arts administrator, and culture bearer for approximately four decades.  He was awarded funding from the National Endowment for the Arts as a performing artist in 1976.  In 2004, he was awarded the Hilos Culturales Distinguished Traditional Folk Artist Premio for his lifetime contributions to the traditional Hispanic traditions of Southern Colorado and New Mexico.  Dr. Trujillo has presented thousands of concerts, lecture demonstrations, and has published extensively in the area of traditional music and dance of the Southwest United States over the past 40 years.  He has recorded and performed for television, radio and on numerous CDs.  In 2009, he was inducted into the Colorado Chicano Music Hall of Fame.  His most popular CDs are: Southwest Musicians presenting the traditional music of the Hispanic Southwest, and A Musical Banquet: From Santa Fe to Denver, a new release with EJ Rodriguez.

            The Southwest Musicians began as a family troupe of three generations including his aunt, Eva Nuanez, father, Filbert Trujillo, son, Dr. Lorenzo Trujillo, Jr., and The Southwest Dancers directed by his mother, Orie Trujillo.  Since 1976, the group performed in numerous venues throughout the Southwest United States.  As the older generation retired, new members joined the group to continue the traditions of the 1840’s of Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico.  Members have roots in New Mexico and in Southern Colorado.  Their performances have included such venues as: The Chicano Music Festival, The Fort, The Spanish Market, Taos City Auditorium, Santa Fe Fiestas, The San Luis Fiestas, Chile Harvest Festival, Denver Civic Theatre, and many others.  The group has released numerous CD’s over these years of old-time dance tunes that were popular in the early pre-United States period of Colorado and New Mexico.  Their music has been handed down through many generations of family musicians who have taught their music by ear and practice.

              Dr. Trujillo holds two doctorates: Doctor of Education and Juris Doctor.  He is currently "Member" with the downtown Denver law firm of Sherman and Howard, LLC.