Biography

Lorenzo Trujillo is a highly respected figure in the world of Southwestern music and culture, known for his lifelong dedication to preserving and promoting the rich traditions of folk music, dance, and arts. As the Director of the Southwest Musicians and the Artistic Director of the MSU Denver Mariachi Program, Dr. Trujillo has shaped the cultural landscape of the region for over six decades.

A folk violinist, guitarist, vocalist, and accomplished ethnic dancer, Trujillo’s contributions to the arts have earned him recognition on both national and international stages. In 1996, he was honored with the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, a testament to his exceptional talent and tireless work in cultural preservation. His career has spanned a variety of roles, from arts administrator to folklorist and culture bearer, and he has had a profound impact on the traditional music and dance of Southern Colorado and New Mexico.

Dr. Trujillo's achievements include working with the National Endowment for the Arts as a performing artist in 1976 and receiving the Hilos Culturales Distinguished Traditional Folk Artist Premio in 2004 for his lifetime of service to Hispanic traditions. His extensive body of work includes thousands of concerts, lecture demonstrations, and publications that document and celebrate the cultural heritage of the Southwest United States.

Over the years, Dr. Trujillo has become a respected voice in traditional music, recording extensively for television, radio, and numerous CDs. His most popular album, The Golden Age of the Southwest: From 1840 to Hollywood, showcases his deep knowledge of regional history and music. He has also had the privilege of performing internationally, with concert tours taking him to Italy, Peru, and Baja California, Mexico.

In recognition of his contributions to the arts, Dr. Trujillo has received several prestigious awards, including induction into the Colorado Chicano Music Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Tesoro Cultural Center’s Tesoro de Oro Award in 2011. His work continues to inspire new generations of artists and musicians, and his dedication to cultural heritage remains a cornerstone of his legacy.

Hilos Cuturales

Awards


Music

The Golden Age of the Southwest

The Golden Age of the Southwest:
From 1840 to Hollywood

Featuring Lorenzo A. Trujillo, with cousins and friends

Order online here:

  

Also available locally in Denver at:
CHAC Gallery, 772 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204.

A Musical Banquet

A Musical Banquet,
From Santa Fe to Denver

Featuring Lorenzo A. Trujillo, with cousins and friends

This CD represents the music of Colorado and New Mexico based on classics from folk traditions. Some of the selected pieces date back to the 1840’s during the trapper period in the Southwest when Colorado and New Mexico were first being settled and other selections are more contemporary. The two artists join forces to create an exciting new rendition of these pieces representing the past to the present with a unique and authentic sound.

Order a copy from CDBaby here:



Amor
Mujer
Valse de la Grandma
Tennessee Waltz
Anniversary Song
Ana

Southwest Musicians

Southwest Musicians

Twenty traditional pieces from the old time music of Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico presented on violin, guitar, guitarron and vocals. Truly a treasure for the collector of the music of the Rio Grande of 1840 to today.

Order a copy from CDBaby here:



La Varsovianna
Valse de los Paños
La Comancha
Son Los Años
Valse Taoseño
Valse Apasionado

Videos

¡Mariachis Correcaminos en Denver!

Noticias Colorado feature

Photos


Articles

Music and the Arts

Lorenzo on stage

Dr. Lorenzo Trujillo – Taking Mariachi Music to New Heights

El Alba Magazine, June, 2018

“Lorenzo Trujillo loved music from an early age, inspired by his Aunt Eva Nuánez, celebrated Denver Songstress…”

Read the article here


A Journey in Time – A Story about Dr. Lorenzo A. Trujillo

Colorado Hispanic Genealogist, December, 2017
The Journal of the Colorado Society of Hispanic Genealogy

“Living History from a Genealogy Foundation”

Read the article here


El Triple Compromiso De Lorenzo Trujillo

CASA Magazine, May 2017

“El conocido abogado Lorenzo Trujillo fue premiado por la Colorado Hispanic Bar Association (CHBA) en su gala del 2017… ”

See the full article in Casa Magazine


Metro State student musicians to fill void of mariachi teachers in Colorado
Metro State program seeks to share Mexican culture through mariachi performances

By Elizabeth Hernandez, June 13, 2016

“As you ascend the building’s stairs, the violins, guitars, vihuela and guitarron come into earshot. Then the powerful voices of the Metro State mariachi ensemble are booming through the music room’s doors … ”

See the article in the Denver Post


Mariachi culture takes centerstage



By Teresa Diaz Soriano, November 4, 2016

“Since the fall of 2015, the sweet sounds of mariachi can be heard coming from room 293 in the Arts Building every Friday. The music course Mariachi Ensemble is offered at MSU Denver for academic credit …”

See the full text in Met Media

Marketing

Marketing: An Organizational Approach

By Lorenzo A. Trujillo
September, 1981

The subject of this seminar is "Marketing: An Organizational Approach." Marketing means "to offer for sale" (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 1973). Specifically, I will refer to an organizational approach to marketing.

Before beginning, take a piece of paper and:

  1. Draw yourself
  2. On the upper right hand corner of the paper, write in:
    • your age
    • your occupation
    • what you want most in life (one word)
    • how you feel right now (one word)
Click here for full text

Contact

You can email Lorenzo at

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© Lorenzo Trujillo