A Santa Fe Soundtrack: Dennis Jasso, Nosotros, and the Power of Going Local
On KSWV Radio’s weekly Go Local, Go Different segment in partnership with the City of Santa Fe’s Office of Economic Development, the focus is clear: spotlight the creatives, entrepreneurs, and artists who make the city a global destination for arts and culture. This week’s guest embodied that mission — Dennis Jasso of Nosotros.
Nosotros has been a fixture in New Mexico’s music scene for more than three decades. “The band has been around since 1994. So we’re celebrating 32 years as a band this year,” Jasso shared. Originally formed in Las Cruces, the group expanded north after recognizing broader opportunities. “We were playing so much up here that it just made sense to eventually relocate,” he explained. Over time, Santa Fe became home. “Over half the band now has found ourselves living in Santa Fe. So we’re happy to call Santa Fe home and such a great, great place to be.”
A 10-Piece Fusion of Sound
Today, Nosotros is a 10-piece ensemble — plus a vital crew member. “Currently, there’s 10 in the band and one crew member that’s very vital to our existence these days,” Jasso noted.
Part of the band’s distinct sound comes from its layered percussion. “We have myself on drums, and then we also have a conga player… and a timbale player, so we have a full percussion section. That really just helps us create that Latin sound.”
The band’s current form evolved from a merging of musical worlds. Jasso recalled how Nosotros, once an acoustic ensemble, joined forces with a jazz group called Quantum Blue. “At some point we’re just like, let’s put our two bands together.” That collaboration brought drums, horns, and dual vocalists into the mix — “and so that’s kind of the introduction to bringing drums together… and so it’s kind of this fusion of two different bands that is the Nosotros experience today.”
Keeping It Fresh for 32 Years
Nosotros has built a reputation for sold-out shows and packed plazas, but Jasso says reinvention has been key. “I think constantly reinventing ourselves,” he said. “We were all kids, basically, when we started playing the band, and now we’re approaching 50.”
The band’s catalog reflects that longevity. “I think Nosotros as a whole has about… somewhere between 65 and 70” original songs, he said.
When asked whether they intentionally write music to appeal across generations — from toddlers dancing in living rooms to longtime fans — Jasso offered insight into their creative process: “Definitely when we’re writing a song or working on a song, in the back of our minds is, you know, how are people going to respond to this? Are they going to dance? Are they going to hate it? Are they going to love it?” Still, he added, “I wouldn’t say it’s the driving force… I think it very much does come from our heart and soul.”
Music, Education, and Community
Teaching has long been part of Jasso’s musical journey. “I grew up in the public school music programs and then attended NMSU as a music major there,” he said. Several members of Nosotros are music educators, reinforcing the band’s connection to the next generation. “It’s kind of our duty as musicians in a way to teach them what we know and make sure that they continue on… and also train them to be better than us.”
Beyond performance, Jasso also operates a recording space in Santa Fe. “I do have a small recording studio that we do a lot of our recording in and a lot of our writing and a lot of our work in.” Known as FW Studios, the space accommodates everything from full bands to podcasts. “Podcasting is, it’s kind of a thing now,” he said with a laugh.
Supporting Local — On and Off Stage
The interview underscored the reciprocal relationship between artists and local businesses — a cornerstone of the Go Local, Go Different campaign.
“I think being a part of the business community here in Santa Fe is very important to bands and musicians,” Jasso said. “The relationships that we have with businesses is very reciprocal.” Restaurants, hotels, bars, and venues book the band — and in return, Nosotros brings the crowd. “It’s almost a partnership that we have to create with businesses here in town.”
He emphasized how unique Santa Fe’s ecosystem is. “We’re so lucky to be here in Santa Fe because it is a global destination and we have amazing restaurants… we have amazing music venues. All within this, you know, small town of about 70,000 to 80,000 people. It’s great. We love it here.”
What’s Next
Nosotros continues to pack venues across the region and is preparing for a free March 7 performance at Fara Fina on St. Michael’s Drive. Summer dates — including botanical garden performances in Santa Fe and Albuquerque — are also in the works.
As the conversation wrapped, Jasso offered a simple message of gratitude: “Thank you to the community of Santa Fe and the listeners of Que Suave. It’s very important that people continue to support music, musicians, and as the campaign says, to support local business, because the stronger our business economy is going to be, the stronger and better our city is going to be.”
After 32 years, dozens of original songs, and generations of fans, Nosotros remains more than a band. In Santa Fe, they are part of the soundtrack — and part of the story.
On this week’s Go Local, Go Different spotlight with the City of Santa Fe’s Office of Economic Development, we sit down with Nosotros drummer Dennis Jasso of Alma Productions for an inspiring conversation about music, community, and 32 years of New Mexico sound. Dennis shares the band’s journey from Las Cruces to Santa Fe, how a fusion of jazz and Latin influences shaped their signature 10-piece energy, and why their shows continue to sell out across generations. We also talk about his Santa Fe recording space, FW Studios, upcoming performances — including a free March 7 show at Fara Fina — and what it truly means to support local art in a global destination city like Santa Fe.
