April 29, 2021 | By Joe Nick Patoski
Leonardo “Flaco” Jiménez is San Antonio music royalty. Known as “El Rey de Texas” for his mastery of the accordion, the 82-year-old comes from a pioneering family of conjunto, the soul music of South Texas Mexican Americans.
November 17, 2020 | By Joe Nick Patoski
When folks are locked down, can there still be folklife?
That’s the existential question that Texas Folklife has been asking.
February 12, 2019 | By Matt Joyce
Texas Folklife’s annual contest seeks young players in the genres of conjunto, zydeco, Cajun, and polka. You’re sure to encounter a few in the halls of any Texas high school: shaggy-haired teens with rock ‘n’ roll dreams, a guitar case or drum sticks in hand. But an accordion? Those might be a little harder to find.
June 1, 2018 | By Julia Jones
Some of the best accordion players from across Texas and the region are set to perform at the 29th annual Accordion Kings & Queens, a free concert this Saturday in Houston.
February 8, 2018 | By
Attention accordion players and fans! The Big Squeeze Accordion Contest returns in February with 10 showcases across Texas aimed at seeking out and promoting young accordion players.
September 19, 2017 | By Matt Joyce
Not much has come easily for Eva Ybarra, except playing music. Since getting her start as a young girl in San Antonio icehouses in the 1950s, the accordionist has carved out a lasting career with her progressive style and forceful singing. Today, Ybarra is recognized as one of conjunto’s most accomplished players—despite the vagaries of the music business and the headwinds of macho chauvinism—and is known by the esteemed nickname, La Reina del Acordeón (the queen of the accordion).
Published monthly by the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Highways, the official travel magazine of Texas, encourages travel to and within the Lone Star State and tells the Texas story to readers around the world.
