Canción Mexicana: Larry Lobato talks music with JR Salgado
Bernardo Salgado, professionally known as JR Salgado, recently had a conversation with Larry Lobato, one of Canción Mexicana's alternating hosts. JR Salgado is a seasoned multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter whose musical journey spans decades across the Tejano, cumbia, and regional Mexican music scenes. Born in 1978 in Aurora, Illinois, Salgado moved to El Paso, Texas, in 1991, where he connected deeply with his Tejano roots and the rich musical traditions that would shape his artistic identity. By age 19, he had relocated to Denver, Colorado, and quickly became an active part of the regional music circuit, performing with respected groups including The Steve Romero Band, Tejano Style, Poquito Más, and Nuestra Familia, helping build a reputation for his versatility, musicianship, and strong stage presence.
After returning to the El Paso and southern New Mexico area several years later, Salgado continued expanding his career by performing with notable Las Cruces bands such as Algo Nuevo and The Macho Band, while also collaborating with Jaime Trujillo, founder of Cruces Band. Along the way, he earned the opportunity to perform with the renowned Mexican cumbia group Tropicalísimo Apache, contributing to a cumbia recording of the KC and the Sunshine Band hit “That’s the Way (I Like It).” Today, JR Salgado continues to honor his musical roots while stepping into a new chapter as an independent artist with his debut single, “Feliz Cumpleaños Hasta el Cielo.” He also currently performs as a multi-instrumentalist and lead vocalist with the legendary Colorado-based group Grupo Presidio.
Photo credit: Tosh Jackson, Program Director and Multimedia Producer
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