Legendary Conjunto musician Flaco Jimenez passes away at 86
Flaco Jiménez, Legendary Conjunto Music Icon, Passes Away at 86
San Antonio native Leonardo "Flaco" Jiménez, a key figure in popularizing Texas-Mexican accordion music, known as conjunto, across South Texas and northern Mexico, has died at the age of 86. The family announced the news on Facebook late Thursday night.
Jiménez began his seven-decade career in a family well-known for conjunto music. He played alongside his grandfather, father, and brother. Throughout his illustrious career, he achieved mainstream prominence through his musical collaborations with artists like Ry Cooder, Dwight Yoakam, and the Rolling Stones.
The U.S. Library of Congress described Jiménez as a champion of traditional conjunto music and Tex-Mex culture. This recognition was echoed by Max Baca, who founded the Texmaniacs and plays the bajo sexto. Baca described Jiménez's accordion playing as unique and having magic. Josh Baca, too, found Jiménez's accordion playing easily recognizable. Felix Contreras praised Jiménez as a master at improvising on the accordion.
Jiménez received numerous prestigious awards and honors, including six Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award (1999), and multiple Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Tejano Music Awards (2011) and the Americana Music Association (2014). He was also honored with a National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2012, the highest U.S. government honor in folk and traditional arts. In 2015, he received the inaugural Distinction in Arts honor from the City of San Antonio.
His album "Partners" was selected for the National Recording Registry in 2021, and he was awarded the National Medal of the Arts in 2022. Other recognitions include a Tejano Music Video of the Year award in 2000 for "De Bolon Pin Pon," induction into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame in 2015, and a Latin Album award at the 14th Annual Independent Music Awards for his collaborative album Flaco & Max: Legends & Legacies (2015).
Despite being a global ambassador for conjunto, Jiménez prioritized local performances throughout his career, headlining the Tejano Conjunto Festival for decades. The genre, which traditionally employs a standard quartet of button accordion, bajo sexto, electric bass, and drum set, has served as a symbol of cultural identity among the rural, working-class Texas-Mexican population.
Jiménez passed away following a long illness at his son's home, surrounded by loved ones. His family has requested privacy during this time of sadness and grievance. This is a developing story that will be updated.
[1] Flaco Jiménez Biography [2] Flaco Jiménez Awards and Honors [3] Flaco Jiménez: The Tex-Mex Music Legend
News outlets report that Flaco Jiménez, a renowned name in both Tex-Mex music and entertainment, has passed away at the age of 86. His extensive career spanned decades and saw him receive numerous awards, including multiple Grammy Awards and the National Medal of the Arts.
In memory of Flaco Jiménez, entertainment enthusiasts and music lovers alike are encouraged to explore his biography, detailed achievements, and contributions to the world of Tex-Mex music through various online resources.
