With the video below we bring you something different, and we hope that you’ll find the squeezebox as interesting as we did.
For those who don’t know, many Mexican-Americans in Texas have incorporated the accordion into the distinct music genre of Tejano music.
If you ever wondered what Tejano is all about, here’s a perfect example.
If an instrument is a hand-held, bellow-driven aerophone, you can call it squeezebox.
Several famous instruments fall into this category including the accordion, the concertina, the bandoneon and different hand-pumped harmoniums. But playing the accordion is not as easy as it might seem.
The instrument is far more involved than many others and is even difficult to learn to play well. Work it wrong, and you’ll sound like a bagpiper!
On the other hand, work it well and magic ensues.
Tejano music is a popular music style fusing Mexican, European and American influences. Tejano reached a much larger audience in the late 20th century thanks to the explosive popularity of the late artist Selena Quintanilla, who was nicknamed “The Queen of Tejano.”
Tejano is traditionally played by small groups featuring accordion and guitar.
The group in this video, the Accordion Power Players, is one such group.
Five accordion players had the honors to grace the stage at the 13th annual Tejano Music Awards. It was held in 1993, making this performance almost 30 years old!
Interestingly enough, Selena took home the Vocalist of The Year award that night.
Announced as “guys who are soul o Tejano music,” Flaco Jimenez, Mingo Saldivar, Pete Ybarra, David Farias and David Lee Garza step up ready to blast some amazing Tejano tunes. They play “El Huarachazo Texano” and you can hear the audience enjoying themselves and singing along.
All five artists have achieved some major accomplishments.
Flaco Jimenez won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.
Mingo Saldivar is known for his animated stage performances, which have earned him the title “The Dancing Cowboy.” His fans in Mexico developed a novelty dance in his honor called Mingo Mania. David Farias began his career as an accordion-playing child prodigy, has had many shows with his brothers, and eventually decided to perform on his own.
David Lee Garza has been in the business for more than 30 years, with over 30 recorded albums and two major labels.
These five fellows and their amazing gig will put a smile on your face—because we all enjoy Tejano!
The show feels like the old times for everyone who longs for the days when Tejano superstars were at the peak of their popularity.
The 90s were a time when Tejano performers were increasingly testing the waters for moves into country and pop music.
It’s interesting to hear a blend of so many different influences sound that sound so original. A music genre like Tejano makes you realize all the potential that the accordion has.
In this performance, they sound like they’ve been practicing their whole lives for this moment!
It’s an amazing interpretation of polka, and the moment they play it will have you on your feet dancing in no time.
The clip was uploaded in 2009, and since then it has accumulated over six million YouTube views. If that view count is any evidence, a lot of people still remember the Tejano charm!
Check out the full performance in the link below:
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
