Overview
The music of contemporary Mexican American culture ranges in style from traditional Mexican styles such as norteño and mariachi, to hybrid forms that combine the polka/ranchera sound with country, rock and roll, and cumbia, to hip hop and rap styles. Often the term Tejano is used generally to indicate any of these styles that have developed in Texas. However, for our purposes, the term Tejano will be used more specifically to indicate a modern, expanded conjunto style (electrified bajo sexto, bass, accordion, drumset, synthesizer and additional instruments). Individual artists and bands from California, Arizona, and Texas have driven the innovation of new approaches to traditional music with a resultant diversity of material. The selected artists and genres in this chapter will include Little Joe y la Familia, Jimmy Gonzalez y Mazz, David Lee Garza y los Musicales, Patsy Torres, Linda Ronstadt, Los Lobos, and Selena.
Objectives
- Identify the instrumental ensembles and musical styles of La Onda Chicana, Mariachi, Tejano, Rock and Tejano/Cumbia aurally
- Recall the contributions and innovations of selected artists to Mexican American popular music
- Identify the following song/dance forms: polka, cumbia, son jarocho, son jalisciense
- Examine the cultural context that these ensembles, genres and forms originate from and understand them as part of an ongoing, bi-cultural musical expression
1980s: Tejano
Often the term Tejano is used generally to indicate any of the array of regional Mexican styles that have developed in Texas. However, for our purposes, the term Tejano will be used more specifically to indicate a modern, expanded conjunto style (electrified bajo sexto, bass, accordion, drumset, synthesizeran electronic instrument most often played through a piano-style keyboard capable of producing a wide range of sounds created through waveform synthesis techniques and additional instruments). Though the regional market had been strong due to loyal fans and independent record labels, the economic downturn of the 1980s negatively impacted the music industry and sales of Tejano music. Additionally, MTV had become popular and necessitated a visual narrative to accompany the music. Mainstream groups such as The Cars, The Pretenders, and The Police were popular, and Tejano acts rose to the occasion by updating their look with more rebellious clothing and make-up and employing cutting edge computerized spotlights and banks of speakers in their shows. Tejano music received support in the mid-1980s from the independent Cara label owned by Bob Grever who signed several artists that went on to great popularity, including Mazz, David Lee Garza, and Patsy Torres. Additionally, more recognition and visibility was sought for the genre through the establishment of awards and festivals.
Tejano Music Awards
Two major events of the 1980s in San Antonio, Texas that helped to stabilize the regional music industry were the establishment of the Tejano Music Awards by Rudy Trevino and Latin Breed saxophonist Gilbert Escobedo, and, the organization of the first Tejano Conjunto Festival by Juan Tejeda. These two institutions and events have continued to provide recognition, support, and performance venues for Tejano and conjunto artists ever since. The TMA utilizes a people's choice award for the best songs and artists in Tejano music on an annual basis, and both groups have established Halls of Fame to recognize artistic achievements.
"[Little Joe Hernandez] has been described as a "Latino Elvis.""
