History of Conjunto Music

In approximately late 1800’s the Mexican population of South Texas and northern Mexico adopted the lively button accordion from the German settlers and combined it with the Spanish guitar, or bajo sexto (a 12-string bass guitar), to develop a new style of music known as conjunto. By synthesizing European rhythms, such as polkas, waltzes and schottishes, with indigenous Mexican musical forms, a highly stylized and unique expression of American music was born.

The first conjuntos, usually comprised of an accordion and guitar or bajo sexto duo, were formed in the 1920’s. The first recordings of conjunto music were made in San Antonio in the late 20’s to mid 30’s at which time the radio industry popularized conjunto music among the Mexican-American people. To this day, San Antonio continues to be the hub of Tejano Conjunto music.

Considered, at one time, to be the music of the poor migrant worker, it has since then grown in popularity nationally and internationally. Though the basic four piece ensemble – diatonic accordion, bajo sexto, bass and drums - continues to be the basis of conjuntos, many additions and modifications have been made by various groups, which individualize their sound.

Some of these changes include the use of two accordions, added keyboards, synthesizers, chromatic accordions, saxophones, percussion, and substitution of guitars for bajo sextos. Vocal styles vary widely as well, from solos to very complex three and four-part harmonies. This new “modern” or “progressive” style, which is called “ Tejano,” shows a stronger rock or jazz influence and a more theatrical performance.

Tejano and Conjunto music have a widespread following, which until recently had been almost exclusively Mexican-American. But as mainstream America and the rest of the world have come into contact with the music, the legion of fans has grown to include substantial followings outside the Mexican-American community, with many fans in Europe and a growing following in Japan.