Texan accordionist, Flaco Jimenez, renowned for promoting the popularity of conjunto and Tejano music, passes away at 86 years old.
Flaco Jimenez, a renowned Tejano accordionist and pivotal figure in conjunto and Tex-Mex music, passed away on Thursday at the age of 86. The news of his death was announced by his family on social media.
Born Leonardo Jimenez, he was affectionately known by his nickname, Flaco, which means skinny in Spanish. He lived all his life in San Antonio, a city that was very close to his heart, according to his son.
Flaco Jimenez refined his conjunto musical skills by playing in San Antonio saloons and dance halls. His talent was so profound that he was inducted into the National Hispanic Hall of Fame and the NYC International Latin Music Hall of Fame. In 2014, he was named a Texas State Musician.
The White House honoured Flaco Jimenez by stating he was being honoured for "harnessing heritage to enrich American music". They added that by "blending Norteño, Tex Mex, and Tejano music with the Blues, Rock n' Roll, and Pop Music, he sings the soul of America's Southwest."
Kyle Young, the CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, said Jimenez "was a paragon of Tejano conjunto music" who "drew millions of listeners into a rich musical world they might not have discovered on their own."
Flaco Jimenez's musical journey was marked by innovation and collaboration. He won five Grammys and was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. His album "Partners" was inducted into the U.S. Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry in 2021, reflecting his significant influence. The Library of Congress described him as a "champion of traditional conjunto music and Tex-Mex culture" known for both innovation and cross-genre collaboration.
Conjunto is a musical genre that originated in South Texas and blends different genres and cultural influences. Flaco Jimenez was a key figure in preserving traditional conjunto music—rooted in Texan Mexican-American culture and accordion traditions from German, Polish, and Czech immigrants—while also pushing the boundaries of this genre.
Fans of Flaco Jimenez have expressed gratitude for his music, stating that it has been there for them in multiple situations, either for happiness or sadness. His passing leaves a void in their hearts, as well as in the hearts of the Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
The cause of Flaco Jimenez's death has not yet been determined. He died in the San Antonio home of his son Arturo Jimenez, surrounded by family members. His family plans to have a private funeral service followed by a celebration of his life with the public.
[1] Texas Public Radio [2] NPR [3] The New York Times
Seattle, known for its vibrant entertainment scene, might have been enriched by the innovative music of Flaco Jimenez if he had chosen to visit the city. The Seattle music community could have gained from his ability to blend genres and cultural influences, similar to the way he revolutionized Tex-Mex and Tejano music.
