HOUSTON โ Celebrated accordionist and a pioneer of the Tex-Mex sound, Flaco Jimenez from San Antonio, passed away on Thursday at the age of 86. His family shared news of his passing on social media. He died peacefully at the home of his son, Arturo Jimenez, surrounded by those he loved.
โDad left us peacefully,โ Arturo Jimenez confirmed in a Friday phone call. โIn the days leading to his passing, he said his goodbyes and expressed pride in his lifetime achievements. He was ready to move on, leaving behind fond memories for his audience.โ
The exact cause of death remains unknown, though Jimenez was previously hospitalized in January due to a blood clot in his leg, with doctors also identifying vascular issues.
Leonardo Jimenez, affectionately known by his fans as Flaco, was born in 1939. The nickname Flaco, translating to โskinnyโ in Spanish, befitted his lean stature.
The son of Santiago Jimenez โ a key figure in the development of conjunto music โ Flaco was destined to leave an indelible mark on the genre that fuses a variety of musical influences originating from South Texas.
Austinโs University of Texas Butler School of Music details the emergence of conjunto music as a blend of accordion sounds brought by German, Polish, and Czech immigrants with the cultural flavor of Tejano accoutrements. This genre, quickly became a cultural staple for Tejanos, symbolizing their connection to agricultural fields in Texas. The underlying musical traditions have remained steadfast, becoming a unifying force for Texasโ Tejano communities.
Flaco honed his mastery of the accordion in San Antonioโs saloons and dance halls and found himself performing alongside Douglas Sahm of the Sir Douglas Quintet during the 1960s. His remarkable career saw collaborative efforts with icons like Bob Dylan, Dr. John, Ry Cooder, and the Rolling Stones. Driven by creative curiosity, Jimenez incorporated rock, country, and jazz influences into conjunto music.
โBlending the accordion with various music genres intrigued him. He succeeded in embedding the instrument across diverse styles,โ Arturo Jimenez recalled.
The 1990s marked Jimenezโs involvement in the Tejano supergroup, Texas Tornados, comprising talents like Sahm, Augie Meyers, and Freddy Fender, securing a Grammy in 1991 for โSoy de San Luis.โ His achievements include another Grammy win in 1999 as part of the group Los Super Seven.
Renowned with five Grammys, Flaco was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. Additionally, he was inducted into the National Hispanic Hall of Fame and NYC International Latin Music Hall of Fame, receiving the title of Texas State Musician in 2014.
Reflecting on his fatherโs legacy, Arturo Jimenez described him as humble and unassuming, devoted more to his music than the spotlight. Jimenezโs music has been a source of solace for many fans across a spectrum of emotions, Arturo noted.
In 2022, the National Medal of Arts acknowledged Jimenez for โenriching American musicโ by infusing Norteรฑo, Tex-Mex, and Tejano tunes into a fabric that included Blues, Rock nโ Roll, and Pop, thereby embodying the spirit of Americaโs Southwest.
The Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame expressed their admiration with a heartfelt message, appreciating his musical legacy.
Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, called Jimenez a โparagon of Tejano conjunto musicโ who introduced countless listeners to a vibrant musical landscape.
Spending his entire life in San Antonio, the city held a special place in Jimenezโs heart. โHe was considered โel hijo de San Antonio,โ and he took great pride in that,โ Arturo shared.
Plans for a private funeral service are underway, followed by a public celebration honoring Jimenezโs vibrant life.