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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZJIMENEZ, Santiago Sr(b '13 June, San Antonio TX; d there 22 June '84) Tex-Mex accordionist and songwriter; with other accordionists, especially Narcisco Martinez, one of the pioneers of musica norte¤a, the music of the Mexican-Texas border; latterly better-known as father of Flaco (see above) and Santiago Jr. Encouraged by his own father, Patricio, a dance musician from Eagle Pass TX. First record, 'Dices Pescao'/'Dispensa el Arrempujon' '36 on Decca, made innovative use of tololoche, a tejano contrabass which began to be used in the conjunto music of the '40s. Recorded for Globe, Imperial, Mexican Victor; scored regional hits with 'La Piedrera' and 'Viva Seguin', both incl. on Texas-Mexican Border Music Vol. 12: Norte¤o Acordeon Part 2: San Antonio In The 1940s And 50s on Folkyric; he is also heard on Vol. 4 Part 1. He retained a trad. approach also preserved in the work of Santiago Jr on El Mero, Mero '82 and Santiago Strikes Back! '84 on Arhoolie, unlike Flaco's more modern style; this was largely due to his preference for the two-row button accordion which he never abandoned despite advances in accordion technology and his instrument's increasingly old-fashioned status. Appeared in Chulas Fronteras '76 (Brazos Films) with Flaco, Martinez, others. Santiago Jimenez con Flaco Jimenez y Juan Viesca '80 on Arhoolie has original material written after his string of hits from '30s to '50s, which epitomized the roots of this danceable music; Flaco's Homenaje A Don Santiago Jimenez '85 on Dina incl. material co-written by father and son, and Flaco's El Sonindo de San Antonio on Arhoolie incl. his father. Santiago Jr's albums are on Arhoolie and Rounder (Special Delivery in UK); Corazon de Piedra '92 is on Watermelon. |