"What B.B. King is to the blues, or George Jones is to traditional country, Grammy-winning accordionist Flaco Jimenez is to the world of Tex-Mex Conjunto. Jimenez was universally recognized as a leading exponent of the authentic South Texas Conjunto. While there are many masters of the accordion along the Texas-Mexican border, none have toured Europe, Japan and other points overseas or recorded with as many pop, rock and country artists as Jimenez. By all accounts, Jimenez was an international icon for the accordion-fueled Conjunto genre." – Ramiro Burr, excerpt from "The Billboard Guide to Tejano and Mexican Music", Billboard Books.
Celebrating his Conjunto roots in a brand new album entitled Squeeze Box King, for Compadre Records, Flaco Jimenez reminisces about his childhood years. Back then, he could never imagine the recognition he now enjoys as a result of his stature as a master musician and one of the most important Latin artists in the world. Growing under the tutelage of a gifted musician, the young Jimenez discovered music at an early age. His father, Santiago Jimenez Sr., is recognized as a pioneer of Tejano music and the creator of the genre that fuses Mexican, German and American roots music to become the most popular Southern music of choice—Conjunto. Five Grammy's later, Flaco Jimenez cherishes his father's legacy and works hard to deserve to be the crowned King of Conjunto music, with more than 100 albums featuring his accordion performances. Flaco received the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award for more than four decades of music making. He has been inducted into the National Hispanic Hall of Fame. His career and his music are part of a Smithsonian Museum Exhibit.
Conjunto music is roots music, and, by definition, the music of the working class. Flaco's father performed constantly in the San Antonio ice-houses and dance halls. Flaco followed his father, fell in love with music and quickly learned the trade. By age 7, he was already sharing the stage with his famous father. Flaco recorded his first tracks at 15 years of age with Los Caporales. Just as he inherited his father's trade, he inherited his nickname as well, "Flaco" meaning skinny or thin.
The young and hard working Flaco Jimenez made the rounds of the San Antonio saloons and dance halls. His fame as a great accordionist and a bonafide artist grew among the musicians and the loyal following that attended his dances. In the 1960's he joined a fellow musician, Doug Sahm, founding member of The Sir Douglas Quintet and proceeded to New York, where he performeed with Bob Dylan and Dr. John. His performances were suddenly aimed at mostly Anglo audiences, providing him with additional experience to hone his craft. He performed with Peter Rowan. He then went on a highly successful world-tour with Ry Cooder and David Lindsey. A guest artist on Cooder's internationally acclaimed Chicken Skin Music, Flaco received worldwide attention and recognition for his work on that album. In the Nineties, Flaco teamed up with Doug Sahm, Freddy Fender, and Augie Meyers to form the popular Texas Tornadoes. After a Grammy-winning stint, Flaco joined forces with some of Latin music's greatest musicians to form the aptly-named group Los Super Seven.
The world is his stage and Flaco has taken the phrase literally, performing in the barrios of South San Antonio, in the White House and in the most luxurious concert halls in Japan, New York City, Switzerland, Mexico, England, Austria, Spain, South Africa, Athens, Greece, and Paris. Flaco Jimenez is one of those special artists that break down the barriers of language and musical styles, stripping the experience down to the pure enjoyment of music.
The "Flaco Jimenez Style" is a careful concoction of sounds, instruments and musical influences. His technique with the accordion allows him to make it "talk." And whatever Flaco wants to talk about, through his accordion, it is always a refreshing and unforgettable experience. His recipe includes mixing saxophone with Rock guitar licks with a Country influence. Such experimentation and musical expertise have earned him five Grammys so far. The first Grammy was for "Ay Te Dejo en San Antonio," the second with the Texas Tornadoes in 1990, the third was recognition of his solo effort "Flaco Jimenez," the fourth Grammy came by way of another solo effort, Said and Done, and the last Grammy in 1999 was earned through his great work with Los Super Seven.
Flaco has jammed and recorded with music superstars Dwight Yoakam, Ry Cooder, Linda Ronstadt, Emmy Lou Harris, Los Lobos, The Mavericks, John Hiatt, Bryan Ferry, The Clash, Stephen Hill and the Rolling Stones, Carlos Santana, The Chieftains, Jimmy Sturr and Orchestra, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Ibrahim Ferrer, The Buena Vista Social Club, Celso Piña and Buck Owens among many others.
Movie performances include acting and music Picking up the Pieces, starring Woody Allen and Sharon Stone. Soundtrack performances include the movies Striptease with Demi Moore, Tin Cup with Kevin Costner, Borders with Jack Nicholson and many others.
Squeeze Box King, his new album for Compadre Records, captures the musical essence, the excitement and the passion that are Flaco Jimenez' trademarks. It is his first new album in three years, a musical tour of the rhythms, sounds, and moods of grassroots Conjunto music. The self-produced Squeeze Box King marks Flaco's return to traditional Conjunto music. From the tri-lingual party polka written by Flaco Jimenez and arranged by José Morante "En El Cielo No Hay Cerveza/In Heaven There's No Beer" to the haunting bolero "Tan Sola" (So Lonely) Flaco Jimenez delivers an album that touches on the various rhythms and styles that make Conjunto music a unique genre, with Mexican, German, and American roots.
Flaco's dance appeal is evident in the effervescent Cumbia beat of "Cuando Te Quiero, Te Vas" (When I Love You, You Leave) as much as in the ice-house Polka "Ojitos Negros." Traditional favorites "Prenda del Alma" (Part of My Soul) and "Un Viejo Amor" (An Old Love) gain a new dimension and are ready to be discovered by a new generation of Latin music fans. Renowned hit-maker Salomé Gutierrez contributed two musical gems to Squeeze Box King, "De Donde Has Sacado" (Where Did You Get That From) and "La Tormenta" (The Storm). Also included are the heartfelt, tragedy-laden classics "La Rosa Negra" (The Black Rose) written by Darío Silva and "Tumba Sin Flores" (Tomb Without Flowers) by Manuel De La Cruz. Steve Ortiz' bilingual bolero "Soy Romántico" (I am Romantic) easily flows from Spanish to English and back without losing the smooth and sensual feel of a bolero.
Squeeze Box King is set for a September 23 release date on the Compadre Records label (www.compadrerecords.com). Brad Turcotte, President/CEO of Compadre Records, expressed "the excitement that precedes the launch of this musically and culturally significant recording is evident in the company. Flaco is an icon of Latin music throughout the world and we are proud to count him as part of the Compadre Records family of artists." The first single is "En El Cielo No Hay Cerveza/In Heaven There's No Beer," a fun party song with Tejano, Regional Mexican and mainstream appeal. Flaco Jimenez gives us a royal treat, indeed, with Squeeze Box King.
Musicians: Flaco Jimenez (Accordion, Lead Vocals), Raúl "Nunie" Rubio (Lead Vocals), David Jimenez (Drums), Max Baca (Bajo Sexto), Roger "Rabbit" Garza (Guitar), Arturo Jimenez (Percussion), Roy Paniagua (Bass), and Louie Chavez (Sax).
