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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 ZMARTINEZ, Narcisco(b 29 Oct. '11, Tamaulipas, Mexico) Musica norte¤a accordionist and songwriter (the 'music of the north', heard on the Mexican-Texan border). Grew up in rural Texas, but never naturalized. Began playing one-row instrument c'27, moved on to two-row; teamed with Santiago Almeida (on bajo sexto) c'35 and struck it lucky with 'La Chicharronera'/'El Tronconal' on Bluebird (both in Texas-- Mexican Border Music Vol. 10: Narcisco Martinez 'El Huracan del Valle' on Folklyric). Recorded many sides, mostly instrumentals, in many dance styles for Bluebird until '40, virtuosity and style earning him the nickname 'the hurricane of the valley'; probably the most-recorded in the genre and among first to tour outside Texas, as far as California. Recorded post-war for Ideal and Falcon, other labels, under his own name or backing acts e.g. Carmen y Laura. Appeared in Chulas Fronteras (Brazos Films) '76 with Santiago Jimenez Snr, Los Alegres De Teran and others, with Jimenez, whom he greatly influenced, the father of conjunto. Also in LPs Texas--Mexican Border Music Vol. 4: Norte¤o Acordeon Part 1, Vol. 12 Part 3 on Folklyric; Chulas Fronteras and The Texas--Mexican Conhunto on Arhoolie. |