Who's Embracing the Sounds of Tejano Music?
Hey There! Here's your lowdown on Tejano Music.
What's Tejano Music?
A fusion of Mexican and Texan cultures, Tejano Music is a unique blend of styles born in Central and South Texas. Influenced by northern Mexican music, European polkas, and waltzes, it features accordions, violins, and brass instruments with verses sung in Spanish. Over the years, it's incorporated a variety of musical styles like jazz, country, cumbia, blues, rock, hip-hop, pop, and more, each lending its own flavor to Tejano's indigenous sound.
Check out Mi Musica: Mexican American Music of Today (1994), a TV segment hosted by Selena, for more insights into this lively genre.
Meet Some Tejano Legends
- Lydia Mendoza, also known as the "Mother of Tejano Music," was born in Houston, Texas in 1916. Known for her "soulful, yearning voice," she is celebrated as "La Alondra de la Frontera" ("The Lark of the Border"), "La Cancionera de los Pobres" ("The Songstress of the Poor"), and later as "La Gloria de Texas" ("The Glory of Texas"). With a career spanning seven decades, she was the first female Tejano artist to achieve mainstream success.
- Freddy Fender, originally named Baldemar Huerta, was born to migrant farm workers in San Benito, Texas. He's a Tejano icon known for his blend of rock-and-roll and country style. His 1974 hit, "Before the Next Teardrop Falls," was the first bilingual song to top Billboard's country chart.
- Selena Quintanilla Pérez, the "Queen of Tejano Music," was a beloved Mexican-American singer from Lake Jackson, Texas. For many, Selena was their first introduction to Tejano music. Her music continues to inspire new generations.
Other notable Tejano artists include Fito Olivares, known as the "King of Cumbia," and Emilio Navaira, dubbed the "King of Tejano" and the "Garth Brooks of Tejano."
Where to Listen?
Stream Tejano music on Freegal, your library's free music service. I've created a "Tejano Legends" playlist for your listening pleasure. Remember, Freegal doesn't have Selena yet, but it's an excellent chance to discover other talented artists.
Want More? Read Up
- Tejano Proud
- Texas Tornado
- Dissonant Divas in Chicana Music
- The Accordion in the Americas
- Lydia Mendoza's Life in Music
- Selena
- Lopez, Silvia
For a deeper dive into Tejano's history and evolution, check out the enrichment data I've provided. Uncover its roots, styles, regional significance, and connections to related genres like Norteño and corridos.
Hey There! As we delve deeper into your cultural exploration, let's take a break from Tejano Music for a moment and explore other aspects of your lifestyle.
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Whether you're relaxing at home or traveling the world, remember to take a break and let your mind wander in the pages of a good book. Happy reading!
