Mariachi Tenampa

Mariachi Tenampa's history begins in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1971. Don Miguel Ojeda Sr.--originally from Carachéo Munícipio de Los Leónes, Mexico--settled in Santa Fe along with members of his group in hopes of finding better work opportunities. Don Miguel Ojeda Sr. formed and directed this group along with his brothers Elias Ojeda and Antonio Ojeda, his two sons Raul Ojeda and Miguel Ojeda Jr., and 4 additional members. It wasn't long before Mariachi Tenampa gained popularity throughout the state and quickly became known as New Mexico’s premier mariachi. The members of this new group had found a new home and were welcomed into the state of New Mexico, the beautiful "Land of Enchantment."

The name "Tenampa" was chosen while the group performed regularly at a bar called "El Tenampa," located in Santa Fe. This bar was named after the famous "El Tenampa" bar located in Plaza Garibaldi in Mexico City. Plaza Garibaldi is known as the mariachi capital of the world and is the home of hundreds of mariachi musicians.

From 1987 to the present, Mariachi Tenampa has been under the direction of Alfredo “Al” Gurulé. Alfredo made major changes to the group's structure by adding new members, including women and transforming the group into a full-time professional career for all its members.

The group regularly performs and travels throughout New Mexico and around the United States. They’ve traveled to the island of Guam, and as far away as Mykonos, Greece. In 1994, Mariachi Tenampa was selected to perform for the Smithsonian Institute's Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C., to represent the Mexican culture of the state of New Mexico. The members have led and instructed workshops and mariachi conferences throughout the country and several members of the group direct youth and school-based mariachi programs at Albuquerque Bilingual Academy, Atrisco Heritage Academy High School, East San Jose Elementary School, Washington Middle School, Albuquerque High School, the Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association Program, and The University of New Mexico.

Mariachi Tenampa has provided live music accompaniment on stage for artists such as Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Lucha Villa, Yolanda Del Rio, Gerardo Reyes, Beatriz Adriana, Alicia Juarez, Juan Valentin, Chelo, Yesenia Flores, Sparx, Lorenzo Antonio, Ana Barbara, Maria De Lourdes, Lorenzo De Monteclaro, Lucha Morena y Jose Juan, Paquita La Del Barrio, Alberto Vasquez, Angeles Ochoa, Lalo Rodriguez, Ruben Rodriguez, Salvador Robledo, El Charro Avitia, Juan Mendoza, Juan Saizar, Arturo Solis, El Piporro, Fernando Casanova, Julio Aleman, David Reynoso, Eleazar "Chelelo" Garcia, Irma Dorantes, and many other New Mexican artists. They have also performed on more than 30 recordings for artists in the region. Among the most well known of those recordings are those of New Mexico’s own artists Sparx and Lorenzo Antonio. Mariachi Tenampa also produced three of their very own CD productions, titled "Canciones De Siempre," "World Tour," and "Mariachi Tenampa Le Canta A Jalisco."