Flaco Jiménez, the legendary Tejano accordionist and global ambassador of conjunto and Tex-Mex music, died on July 31, 2025, at the age of 86. He passed away at one of his son’s homes in San Antonio, surrounded by loved ones, after a long illness.

Born Leonardo Jiménez on March 11, 1939, in San Antonio, Texas, he was a pivotal figure in bringing regional Mexican music styles—including norteño, conjunto, and Tejano—to international prominence. The son of renowned accordionist Santiago Jiménez Sr., Flaco was playing accordion professionally from the age of 12 and spent more than 70 years sharing the music of South Texas across the world.

Flaco Jiménez was a global ambassador for conjunto music and played accordion with everyone from the Rolling Stones to Linda Ronstadt.

Jiménez’s collaborations crossed genres and borders, working with artists like the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Ry Cooder, Linda Ronstadt, Buck Owens, and Dwight Yoakam. He was a founding member of both the Texas Tornados and Los Super Seven, contributing his accordion to countless recordings and live performances. “I enjoy sharing our cultures,” he said, reflecting his lifelong passion for blending musical traditions.

He won numerous awards throughout his celebrated career, including six Grammys—one of which was for Lifetime Achievement —along with honors from the Americana Music Awards, Tejano Music Awards, and the National Endowment for the Arts. In later life, the city of San Antonio formally recognized his role in shaping the cultural landscape, and he inspired generations of musicians, including his brother Santiago Jiménez Jr..

His 6 Grammys were awarded across solo projects and collaborations, recognizing his profound influence in Tejano, conjunto, and country music. The major Grammy Awards received by Flaco Jiménez include:

• 1986: Best Mexican-American Performance for his solo album Ay Te Dejo en San Antonio.
• 1991: Best Mexican-American Performance for “Soy de San Luis” with the Texas Tornados.
• 1996: Best Mexican-American/Tejano Music Performance for the solo album Flaco Jiménez.
• 1999: Best Mexican-American Music Performance for the Los Super Seven album.
• 1999: Best Tejano Music Performance for his solo album Said and Done.
• 2015: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award honoring his career and historical impact on music.
  These awards reflect both his mastery as an accordionist and his ability to bridge diverse genres and cultures in American music.

Flaco Jiménez’s legacy is marked by both his innovative accordion style and his ability to unite diverse audiences through music. “People who know me understand that I let my accordion speak for me,” he once stated, a fitting tribute to a humble artist whose influence will endure through his recordings and the countless lives he touched.