The musical history of New Mexico goes back to pre-colonial times, but the sounds that define New Mexico music begin particularly with theancestral Puebloans. Their music survived in the traditional songs of thePueblo people with wind instruments such as theAnasazi flute, as well as the chants and drum beats of theNavajo andApache.[7][8]
After New Mexico became aterritory, the people of the American frontier brought the traditions ofcountry andCajun music. This was when the first forms of New Mexico music began to be played.Western was an adaption of country and Cajun, accompanied by traditionally Mexican and Native American instruments.
New Mexico music is distinguished by its bouncy and steady rhythm, while accompanied by instruments common inPueblo music, Western,Norteño, Apache music, country, mariachi, andNavajo music. Country and western music lend their drum and/or guitar style sections, while the steadiness of the rhythm owes its origins to the music of the Apache, Navajo, and Pueblo. And the differing rates of that tempo comes from the three common ranchera rhythm speeds, the polka at 2/4 (ranchera polkeada), the waltz at 3/4 (ranchera valseada), and/or the bolero at 4/4 (bolero ranchero).
After statehood, the music was sung at parties and in homes as traditional folk music, and New Mexico music grew in popularity with native New Mexicans, mostly with thePueblo,Navajo,Apache,Neomexicanos, and the descendants of theAmerican frontier.[10] Musicians in the genre received prominent airtime onKANW,[11] and international recognition on the syndicatedVal De La O Show.[12]
Smithsonian Folkways has released traditional New Mexico music on the following albums:Spanish and Mexican Folk Music of New Mexico (1952),[13]Spanish Folk Songs of New Mexico (1957),[14]Music of New Mexico: Native American Traditions (1992),[15] andMusic of New Mexico: Hispanic Traditions (1992).[16] These albums feature recordings of songs like "Himno del Pueblo de las Montañas de la Sangre de Cristo" (lit. "Hymn of the Pueblo of theSangre de Cristo Mountains") as performed by Cleofis Vigil and "Pecos Polka" as performed by Gregorio Ruiz and Henry Ortiz, "It's Your Fault That You're Looking for Your Horses All Night" as performed by The Turtle Mountain Singers, "Entriega de Novios" as performed by Felix Ortega, "Welcome Home" bySharon Burch, as well as other classic New Mexico folk songs. The albums also include takes on other New Mexico folk music by multiple New Mexico musicians.John Donald Robb left a significant collection of 3,000 field recordings of Nuevomexicano, Native, and cowboy music, among others, to theUniversity of New Mexico.[a]
Roots revival style New Mexico music, recorded by musicians likeAntonia Apodaca, Fernando Celicion, Cleofes Vigil, and Cipriano Vigil, is today performed by bands like Lone Piñon.[17][18][19][20]
Country music artistMichael Martin Murphey released an album titledLand of Enchantment. Tracks such as "Land of the Navajo" and "Land of Enchantment" made use of various instruments typically found in New Mexico music. Other country musicians incorporate New Mexico style music into their sound, includingBilly Dawson, Daniel Solis, Josh Grider, andShawn Brooks.[21][22][23][24]
New Mexico Spanish Music is a radio program on Albuquerque-based public radio stationKANW which plays traditional and modern Spanish-language New Mexico music. The show was started in 1973.[37][38] Other relevant shows on KANW includeNative Music Hours[39][40] andFriday's Top 15 at 5:00 Countdown.[41]
KANW'sNew Mexico Music, annual album series which has new singles from independent artists in the genre, andNew Mexico Spanish Super Stars which has a mix of older and newer Spanish-language songs. The radio station has other more specific New Mexico music album compilations as well, such as vintageOldies andSongs of the Native Land releases.
Los 15 Grandes de Nuevo México, annual concert and album series highlighting top-charting songs in the genre. Awards are presented during the concert to the musicians.
