Grammy-Winning artiste, Jemenez passes away

Flaco Jiménez, the legendary accordion player from Texas who helped popularize Tejano and conjunto music around the world, has died at the age of 86. His family said he passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones.

Born as Leonardo Jiménez in 1939 in San Antonio, he began playing music at the age of seven alongside his father, who was also a well-known musician. Over the years, he became one of the most influential figures in Mexican-American music, blending traditional conjunto with country, rock, blues, and jazz. His unique sound brought different musical styles together and helped introduce the music of the Texas-Mexico border to wider audiences.

Jiménez collaborated with many well-known artists during his career, including Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, Ry Cooder, the Rolling Stones, and Dr. John. He was also a founding member of the Texas Tornados and Los Super Seven, both of which won Grammy Awards.

Over his career, he received six Grammy Awards, including one for lifetime achievement in 2015. He was honored with the National Medal of Arts in 2022 and received a National Heritage Fellowship. His achievements earned him a place in several halls of fame.

His family shared that one of his final words was “I’m tired,” spoken in Spanish. He had faced health issues earlier in the year and had been hospitalized in January.

In a statement, his family thanked fans for their support and asked for privacy during this time. They said that his music would continue to live on and bring joy to people everywhere.

Flaco Jiménez’s contributions to music helped shape the sound of Texas and made a lasting impact on American music. His work inspired generations of musicians and continues to influence artists across genres today.