The Santa Cruz River Band comprise Teodoro “Ted” Ramirez and Michael J. Ronstadt, two celebrated Southwestern troubadours, and their Southwestern folk music backing-band – currently Ted and Michael are performing in duo and trio formats.The Santa Cruz River Band comprise Teodoro “Ted” Ramirez and Michael J. Ronstadt, two celebrated Southwestern troubadours, and their Southwestern folk music backing-band – currently Ted and Michael are performing in duo and trio formats.
The Santa Cruz River Band is a professional touring concert group from Tucson, Arizona. This amazing group performs in English, Spanish, Welsh, and American Indian languages, presenting an innovative and powerful musical program filled with the history and mystical lore of the Great American Southwest. They create unique and beautiful music filled with outstanding vocal harmonies and masterful musicianship. Their music is authentic, original, and deeply rooted in the musical styles and traditions of the United States and Mexico. Their new album, “Signal Fire” is a truly intriguing and captivating collection of original, contemporary and classic story-songs. The album authentically represents a very beautiful heritage and vision found in the people and places of the American Southwest.
Teodoro “Ted” Ramirez is a vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and founder of the group. He is an 8th generation Arizonan and a descendant of the first Spanish people to settle in the Southwest in the mid 1700’s. He is a gifted songwriter and singer and a noted Southwestern music and cultural preservationist. He was named Tucson’s Official Troubadour in 2001.
Michael J. Ronstadt is a vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is a fourth generation Arizonan. His family came from Germany and settled in the Southwest in the mid 1800’s. Michael is the brother of the renowned singer, Linda Ronstadt and has appeared on many of her award winning albums. Michael is a recognized and powerful folk artist in his own right.
Ted and Michael are both prolific songwriters and gifted live performance artists and share the leadership of the Santa Cruz River Band-they also perform as the duo “Ronstadt Ramirez”. They work together as one powerful force to bring the amazing story of the Southwest to audiences everywhere. They tour continuously in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. Their stories and song introductions always inform, captivate and elevate the consciousness of the audience.
