conjunto

The original form, conjunto, which was seen as more déclassé than mariachi music, featured the accordion as the melodic lead instrument backed rhythmically by the bajo sexto (a 12-string guitar) and an acoustic bass guitar. Its initial repertoire included waltzes, polkas, mazurkas, and rancheros. In modern conjunto, a…

…state is the birthplace of conjunto, a mix of traditional Mexican music and European polkas, and, along with Oklahoma, is the fulcrum of western swing, whose driving force was Texas music legend Bob Wills. Under the more-expansive label of Tejano, conjunto later evolved to incorporate brass and electronic instruments, bringing…