Meet the Band
Four veteran musicians bringing decades of bluegrass, Americana and roots-music experience to the high desert of New Mexico.
Deep roots. High desert.
The Santa Fe Grass brings together four seasoned players whose musical paths stretch from California's bluegrass scene to Nashville, festival stages, legendary picking circles and the clubs and breweries of Northern New Mexico. The result is a band built on strong singing, serious musicianship and the kind of chemistry that only comes from years of playing this music.
David Thom
Guitar & lead vocalsDavid Thom has spent more than three decades performing bluegrass and Americana, building a musical career rooted in the Northern California bluegrass scene and now based in Santa Fe.
Along the way, David has performed with some of the most respected names in acoustic music, including Peter Rowan, David Grisman, Laurie Lewis and Don Rigsby, as well as members of the extended Grateful Dead musical family including Bob Weir and Phil Lesh.
He spent two years performing with the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience and has appeared on stages at major events including Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, the Strawberry Music Festival and the California Bluegrass Association's Father's Day Festival.
As a recording artist, bandleader, producer and engineer, David's work spans numerous albums and projects, including his collaboration with Don Rigsby, New Territory.
Bob Bruen
Mandolin & vocalsBob Bruen brings a lifetime of bluegrass instincts to The Santa Fe Grass — crisp mandolin work, an ear for harmony and the musical judgment of a player who knows when to step forward and when to leave space.
His musical history includes work with legendary Southwestern singer-songwriter Bill Hearne, as well as performances with musicians including Rex Warren and fiddle great Vassar Clements.
Bob's singing gives the band another distinct lead voice while his harmony vocals help create the layered vocal sound at the center of The Santa Fe Grass.
Marc Bolen
Five-string banjoMarc Bolen supplies the drive at the heart of The Santa Fe Grass. His playing comes from the straight-ahead bluegrass tradition: rhythmic, powerful and built to make a band move.
Marc's musical background includes playing with bluegrass heavyweights Jimmy Martin and Charlie Moore — artists whose music helped define the hard-driving sound of traditional bluegrass.
Whether pushing a fast breakdown or laying behind a vocal, Marc brings the unmistakable snap and momentum of a great five-string banjo to the band's sound.
Zeke Severson
Upright bass & vocalsZeke Severson anchors The Santa Fe Grass with a rock-solid bass foundation, strong vocals and a musical sensibility that reaches well beyond traditional bluegrass.
His background includes performing with Southwestern music icon Bill Hearne and anchor of the the renowned Austin band South by Southwest.
Zeke's combination of groove, timing and vocal ability gives the band both its low-end foundation and its third distinct singing voice — an essential part of the group's versatility onstage.
“That was awesome today! Great pickin' all around and mighty fine singing!”— Michael Hearne
Come hear us live.
The Santa Fe Grass performs throughout Northern New Mexico at breweries, festivals, private events and special gatherings.
See Upcoming Shows