San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is considered the birthplace of conjunto music. Pure conjunto music is performed by a diatonic button accordion, bajo sexto, electric bass, and drum set. German immigrants brought the button accordion to Latin America during the late nineteenth century. Latinos soon picked up the instrument and claimed it as their own. The music, such as polkas and other dances, was also adopted by these local inhabitants.

With a desire to develop a Latin American music ensemble, in 2004 I attended the Tejano Conjunto Festival which takes place every May in San Antonio. I purchased a button accordion and began to learn how to play it. After considerable effort I did learn to the play the instrument which eventually led to my becoming the worship leader at a local Spanish church. In 2006 I was able to return for the twenty-fifth anniversary Tejano Conjunto Festival.

Here is a sampling of conjunto style accordion music. The accordion is acoustic but the bajo sexto, electric bass, and drums are electronic.

Los Gallineros
Polka

La Tuna
Redova

Cerca del Mar
Bolero

Mi Alma Volvará
Gospel Hymn