Music and the message: Grammy Award-winner Robert Mirabal continues winter performances in Taos

Robert Mirabal lets the music speak to him.

The Grammy Award-winning musician has spent a lifetime as a conduit for music.

“I’m changing gears this time of year,” the Taos Pueblo member says. “Performances are in full swing and I’m trying to keep up.”

Mirabal will perform two shows on Friday, Dec, 1, and Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Taos Center for the Arts.

The performances are part of Mirabal’s return to his winter shows.

He will be joined on stage by The Mirabal Sisters, Hail Creek Drummer and the Sky House Dancers.

“I always want to put on a full performance each time I do these shows,” he says. “The days seem to slow down, and I want audiences to experience an immersive culture.”

Aside from performing flute music, Mirabal has been busy traveling across the country.

He’s been to Wyoming, Washington, D.C., and Arizona in the last two weeks.

“I’m doing the music for a docuseries that will come out on Hulu next year,” he says. “I also got cast in this pretty cool independent film in Arizona. I balance all that with tribal life and family life and being a grandpa.”

Over the course of more than four decades in music, Mirabal continues to learn each day – especially as the music business changes.

“It’s all a puzzle and you have to find the right pieces to put in place,” he says. “I’ve been working with Tom Frouge from Avokado Artists for more than a year and it’s been a great collaboration.”

Mirabal says the event is focused on respect for family, culture, heritage and the land.

He’s been described as a Native American Renaissance man – because he’s a musician, composer, painter, master craftsman, poet, actor, screenwriter, author, horseman and farmer.

“The pandemic slowed down the winter performances for a while,” he says. “Being able to put the performances back on stage has been a huge blessing. I’ve tried these winter shows in Santa Fe at El Farol and they never seemed to take off. I’ve kept them in Taos for nearly 30 years now, and people continue to show support for not only the music, but the message.”

Mirabal has focused on collaboration for the majority of his career. His productions have evolved into a more holistic approach because it encompasses who he is.

“My message is about social consciousness,” he says. “As a musician, I spread the seeds and let it grow.”