Santiago Jimenez Sr. was a Mexican-American accordionist and singer from San Antonio Texas, who played a pivotal role in the development of conjunto music or Norteño music. Conjunto music is a style of traditional music that originated in the Texas-Mexico border region, and will be discussed later in the post. Born in 1913, Jimenez was known for his use of the two-row button accordion despite the new developments that were made in accordion technology. Jimenez’s “continued use of this increasingly old-fashioned instrument contributed to the traditionalist sound of his music in his later years” (TSHA). His music blended traditional Mexican polkas and waltzes with elements of blues and jazz, creating a sound that was represented tradition and innovation. Throughout his career, Jimenez recorded with various artists and inspired many, but most notably his son, Flaco, including Santiago Jimenez con Flaco Jimenez y Juan Viesca in 1980 for Arhoolie Records.
Jimenez is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of conjunto music, a genre that has become a staple of Mexican-American culture and has influenced countless musicians across genres. Also known as música norteña, Conjunto music features the accordion as the lead instrument, along with the bajo sexto, a 12-string guitar, and a bass guitar. Conjunto Music originated from the cultural bond between Texas and North Mexico at the end of the nineteenth century. During this time, one-row accordions became easily accessible and inexpensive helping to drive the popularity of Conjunto music, an accordion based genre.
During his time, Jimenez fused different musical styles which created a new sound that resonated with the common people and paved the way for future generations of musicians. His contributions to the development of conjunto music has been recognized with various honors, including the induction into the Tejano Music Hall of Fame and the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. Santiago Jimenez Sr. was a trailblazer who pushed the boundaries of traditional music and helped to shape the Tejano culture.
Interesting Facts:
Jiménez moved to Dallas in the late 1960s and worked as a school janitor.
Jimenez was a featured musicians in director Les Blank’s Chulas Fronteras (1976), a documentary film about Texas-Mexican conjunto and its role in the social and cultural life of Mexican-American families.
Ismael González, Santiago Jiménez Sr., and Manuel González, San Antonio, ca. 1940s
1979 Arhoolie Foundation Interview
Don Santiago Jiménez Interview – The Arhoolie Foundation
“Yes, well, my father, we learned just looking at him, see? He used to play the guitar too, long time ago. My father and him used to play in dances. They start first. I didn’t know how to play in those days. They start- You know, I was always behind them because I want to learn too, myself.” (Santiago Jimenez Sr.)
In the interview, Jimenez, spoke about his father being the first real influence he had in regard to music, and picking up the accordion. Jimenez shares that his dad was the first person he knew to take out his accordion at parties!
Work Cited:
“Jiménez, Santiago, Sr. (1913–1984).” TSHA, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/jimenez-santiago-sr.
“Santiago Jiménez, Sr. – under Appreciated Rock Guitarists.” Google Sites: Sign-In, https://sites.google.com/site/underappreciatedrockguitarists/home/the-pantheon/under-appreciated-items/santiago-jimenez-sr.
“Santiago Jimenez, Sr… Musica Tejana.” YouTube, YouTube, 10 July 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp_nq3TeABw.
“Tejano.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/art/Tejano-music#ref877218.
“Don Santiago Jiménez Interview.” The Arhoolie Foundation, 3 Feb. 2023, https://arhoolie.org/santiago-jimenez-sr/.
“Santiago Jimenez y Sus Valedores No Estes Triste Corazon.” YouTube, 16 Aug. 2014, youtu.be/dKp7jv7QBkw.
