Flaco Jiménez, king of the conjunto accordion, passed away Thursday, July 31, at age 86.

Leonard “Flaco” Jiménez was the most influential Texas-Mexican accordion player of his time. Flaco’s father, Santiago Jiménez Sr., helped create the style called “conjunto” or “la música norteña,” from rancheras to polkas. Flaco Jiménez was born in 1939 in San Antonio and carried his father's sound forward. In addition to singing, Flaco became famous for his rhythmic drive, inventive solos, and stage antics. From his 1950s teenage days playing local dances, Flaco emerged in the early ‘70s to record with Doug Sahm and Ry Cooder, and later Linda Ronstadt and Los Lobos.

To read more about Flaco’s life, click here.

Nuyorican jazz pianist Eddie Palmieri passed away on Wednesday, August 6, at the age of 88.

Palmieri built on the historic fusion of jazz and Latin Caribbean styles. In 1961, Eddie founded the legendary ensemble, La Perfecta; their sound popularized a mix of Puerto Rican and other styles with jazz. La Perfect was famous for exuberant vocals, tight dance rhythms, and driving trombones. Eddie Palmieri’s piano was at the center of it all. By the late 1960s, Palmieri began reaching into new jazz, classical, and other genres to enhance his sound.

To read more about Eddie Palmieri’s life, click here.

You can find our interviews with Flaco Jiménez and Eddie Palmieri here.