Now in his 71st year, five-time Grammy award winner, Flaco Jimenez shows no sign of slowing down. Having worked with some of the biggest names in popular music, he continues to be a much-loved and much-sought after musician, particularly in his home state of Texas.
A Renowned Collaborator
Some of those with whom he has collaborated over the years include: The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, The Clash, Dwight Yoakam, Alan Jackson and Ry Cooder.
Of all the artists with whom he has worked, which was his most memorable experience? "I couldn’t say which one," he replies. "Every one was a new experience for me; I lost count. Ry Cooder is the one that introduced me to new things, to another level of music."
Working with Doug Sahm
Although he had been playing professionally from a very early age (his father and Grandfather were also skilled musicians), Flaco's career really began to take off in the mid-1960s when he formed part of the late Doug Sahm's first band, The Sir Douglas Quintet, one of the first groups to combine Mexican music (specifically the accordion sound heard in Mexican norteña) with Texas country music and rock 'n' roll to create a style known as "Tex-Mex."
"I would consider Doug the one who introduced the accordion to rock 'n' roll," he says. "I feel very fortunate that he chose me to record with him. My first experience of recording was with him."
The Texas Tornados
Flaco was also later a member of famed Tex-Mex "supergroup," The Texas Tornados, along with Doug, Freddy Fender and Augie Meyers.
"My favourite memory of working with Freddy Fender (who died in 2006) was when we were in the Tornados," recalls Flaco. "We went not quite all over the world, but we went to a lot of places."
Promoting Tex-Mex Music Around the World
When it comes to Tex-Mex, or Conjunto music, Flaco is in no doubt as to the secret behind its worldwide popularity. "We play in English and Spanish - the bilingual thing is the one that works," he explains. "All over the world Tex-Mex music has expanded because of the Anglo.
There's now more exposure for our music, more recording for major labels. There are now Tex-Mex bands in Europe and Japan."
Iconic Status
Flaco is aware of his status as a "living legend," but when asked about it, he replies with typical modesty: "If people say that I’m an ambassador of the music, I’ll take that compliment," he says. "I’ll do whatever I can do, but I’ll never say it myself."
In his long and illustrious career, does Flaco still have any ambitions left to fulfill? "If I can still perform," he concludes, "I’ll keep on doing it until I can’t do it anymore."
Adrian Peel - Adrian is an English freelance writer and journalist currently living in Mexico. Over the past eight years, he has had articles, features ...
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