The New Mexico Music Hall of Fame award show, took place on Saturday, November 23rd at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque’s South Valley and hosted by former news anchor Nelson Martinez and Sandia Labs manager and HOF board member Zach Mikelson. This year’s class includes:
Latin Jazz Master, bandleader, arranger and trombonist Cesar Bauvallet. A graduate of the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory in Havana, the Cuban ex-pat was chosen by Arturo Sandoval as trombonist for Dizzy Gillespie’s All-Star Orchestra (Havana Jazz Festival, 1989)
The late saxophonist Robert Blea, front man for the band Fat City for over 4 decades, playing keyboards, sax, flute and clarinet. He was responsible for giving many young NM musicians, early opportunities in the business, including Hillary Smith, Michael Hearne, Teri Q, Logan Nix, Casper Gomez and Roland “Stone” Smith. Blea passed away in 2023.
Blues guitarist, session player and band leader Chris Dracup. He’s been a featured performer at some of the top regional music festivals including the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival, Silver City Blues Festival, Madrid and Albuquerque Blues Festivals, Thirsty Ear Festival, Trinidaddio Fest, Taos Solar Fest and more. Dracup is often featured as an opening act for a wide range of musical artists- everyone from George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars to Joe Walsh, Tori Amos, Taj Mahal, Richard Thompson, Shuggie Otis and many more.
Longtime bandleader and bassist Donny Tesso who celebrates almost 40 years as a professional musician/bassist in all styles of music both national and international. Donny Tesso currently is musical director for Lorenzo Antonio and Sparx and works with many of NM’s finest musicians and bands including Sol-Fire, Soul Divine, Gonzalo, Tobias Rene, Soul Static, Rhythm Divine, Tracey Whitney, Ryan Montano and others. Donny also conducts musician clinics in other cities and states. Donny Tesso, perhaps the most in demand musician in New Mexico.
The Brown Family including Freddie Brown, country artist Bo Brown of Albuquerque who passed away in 2023 was a fun, high energy entertainer. He toured throughout the western US with the Bo Brown Band & AB Brown
The Wickham Brothers, Hank & Lewie, with their adopted brother, Johnny Dacucon, were a national sensation with their song “A Little Bit Late.” Although the brothers went their separate ways after 20 years of playing together, they still reunited occasionally to play in Taos, Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
The Las Vegas style band, The Pink Flamingos will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Celebrating over 25 years as a touring group based in New Mexico, the band has had as many as three iterations playing corporate and charitable events and is one of the most entertaining groups in America.
Bandleader and Cassanova Recording artist Little Ralph Paiz. The guitarist mentored a young Glen Campbell and has always blended traditional and modern music into a uniquely New Mexico blend.
Tejano Artist/Composer/Musician/Producer, Promoter Alan Muniz, a Multi-Award Winning Artist, from Santa Fe who has earned 15 Grandes, along with Grammy & Latin Grammy nominations.
The show featured performances by Picoso, Chris Dracup, Donny Tesso and Little Ralph.
The New Mexico Music Hall of Fame award show is to recognize those who have made significant contributions to our state’s musical culture.