The world of music is mourning the loss of a cultural titan. Leonardo “Flaco” Jiménez, the legendary accordionist who brought the spirited sound of Tex-Mex music to audiences around the world, has died at the age of 86. His family announced his passing on August 1, 2025, through an official statement. He died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. No cause of death was disclosed.

Born and raised in the West Side of San Antonio, Flaco was steeped in music from an early age. His father, Santiago Jiménez Sr., was a pioneering figure in the development of conjunto—a genre that fused Mexican melodies with German and Czech polkas that had migrated to South Texas. Following in his father’s footsteps, Flaco took up the button accordion and quickly displayed a genius that would shape the future of the genre.

Over a storied career spanning more than 70 years, Flaco Jiménez became the ambassador of Tex-Mex music. His unique blend of traditional conjunto rhythms with influences from country, blues, and rock & roll transformed the sound into something universally loved. Whether on a tiny dancehall stage or in front of global audiences, his playing always remained soulful, authentic, and unmistakably joyful.

Jiménez’s artistry caught the attention of musical legends across a wide spectrum of genres. He recorded and performed with icons like Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Dwight Yoakam, Ry Cooder, Carlos Santana, and Dr. John. He was a founding member of the Texas Tornados, a supergroup that epitomized the Tex-Mex fusion sound and introduced it to a broader American audience. His collaborations helped elevate the accordion from a regional staple to a respected instrument on the world stage.

Flaco’s achievements were recognized with multiple Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the highest honors in the music industry. Yet despite international success, he always remained grounded in his community. San Antonio, the city where he was born and raised, was his home base throughout his career. Local performances remained a fixture of his life, and he was regarded not only as a master musician but as a beloved cultural figure.

One of the most memorable representations of Flaco’s artistry is captured in the 1976 documentary Chulas Fronteras, where he’s shown performing in a crowded South Texas dancehall. Couples twirl across the floor, smiles abound, and Flaco beams behind his accordion. That image, joyful and communal, perfectly encapsulates his mission: to bring people together through music.

“When you turned on the radio, you just knew it was Flaco,” said Josh Baca of the Grammy-winning group Los Texmaniacs. “He had a way of speaking through the accordion like no one else. He was our hero.”

Flaco’s influence extended beyond fans and audiences to an entire generation of musicians. His younger brother, Santiago Jiménez Jr., also became a respected accordionist, and countless protégés credit Flaco with transforming the role of the accordion in popular music. His legacy is not just in his recordings but in the vibrant traditions he helped sustain and evolve.

From neighborhood house parties to the world’s grandest stages, Flaco Jiménez never stopped playing the music he loved. His unmistakable sound—alegre, full of life—was more than entertainment; it was a celebration of Mexican American identity, Texas pride, and musical unity.

As San Antonio and the wider music world remember him, one thing remains certain: Flaco’s music will continue to echo wherever accordion music is played, and his joyful legacy will inspire generations to come.

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