Steve Leger, 71, passed away from a heart attack on February 6, 2025, and Northern New Mexico lost one of its most joyful musicians. Steve was a musician's musician, a maestro, a teacher, a composer, band leader, and organizer of musical events but ultimately, he just loved to play. Steve picked up the trumpet in fourth grade under the tutelage of Litra Romero. In Junior High, he and Litra's son, Pancho, were battling for first chair of the WLV High School band. He graduated from West in 1971. After a short tenure at New Mexico State, he turned to music full time. He played with several local bands before helping to form Cascabel in the mid-seventies, one of the most popular bands in New Mexico at the time. In the early eighties they moved to Denver and were so beloved that Mayor Pena named a day for the band.

Steve then took his musical talent on the road with rhythm and blues pop band The Drifters. They toured across the country. He finally got off the tour bus in the early 90's and moved back home to Las Vegas, NM permanently. His store Love Musica became the mecca for music in Las Vegas. Steve was the Johnny Appleseed of music, and he spread it everywhere, in all ways, shapes and forms! He sold instruments, taught music, formed bands, rehearsed, organized, and promoted music events. Above all, he just loved to play and took his trumpet and flute everywhere. He was instrumental in the formation of the bands Los Tropicales and Contrafacts (later After the Fact). He would jam with any band anywhere and would always bring an uptick and energy to the sound and get people up and dancing. Steve played with the Highlands Jazz band, the Community Concert Band and sang with the Community Choir. There wasn't anyone in music in Las Vegas that wasn't touched or influenced by Steve. Recognizing the need for outdoor summer music to build community and joy, he founded and pushed Music in the Park and Friday's Alfrescos at the Plaza Park. The Melodic Majors Club at New Mexico Highlands recently awarded him their Excellence in Music Award. One of his most rewarding achievements was finishing his degree. At the age of 68, in 2022 Steve earned his BA in music from New Mexico Highlands University. As he put it, "I promised my mother I would finish my degree when I left New Mexico State". And he did!

Steve helped found the Las Vegas First Business Alliance to help small business on the Plaza and west side. He was a regular on their weekly radio program on KFUN interviewing business owners and promoting events.

One cannot talk about Steve without mentioning his big kind heart, generosity, sense of humor and love of cooking -- his red chile was legendary. The community loved Steve and he loved them back!

Steve is preceded in death by his father Ray Leger, mother Mela Leger, brothers Howard and Rando and sister Annette. He is survived by his fiancé Rochadie Vigil, son Steven Ray, daughter Marina Tenorio (Gavin), brothers Nicolas (Corine) and Martín, sisters Teresa (Matt) and Stephanie (Les), three grandchildren and sixteen nieces and nephews.

The funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Church and can be live streamed on www.oloslasvegas.org or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OLOS.LV followed by the burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Las Vegas, NM.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to The Meadow City Academy of Music at https://www.meadowcitymusic.org/donate.html in Las Vegas for the purpose of providing music opportunities to students who might not otherwise afford them.

Arrangements are entrusted to and under the care of Rogers Mortuary, 600 Reynolds Ave., Las Vegas, NM 87701, 505-425-3511 or 1-800-479-3511.

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