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[8/4] Preview: Texas Folklife CD Release Party with Los Morales Boyz and Los Texmaniacs at Antone’s

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Sunday, Aug. 4, Conjunto comes to Antone’s! Texas Folklife will be celebrating the release of its Accordion Kings and Queens Live! CD, which features performances by legendary accordionists from a variety of genres, including Flaco Jimenez, Mingo Saldivar, and others. Also featured on the CD are the two groups scheduled to perform: Los Morales Boyz and Los Texmaniacs.

Los Morales Boyz are a young family conjunto from Dallas, led by 2011 Big Squeeze Contest champion Nachito Morales. His brothers Rudy (bajo sexto) and Cheque (drums) do a great job of backing him up and keeping the beat. Also playing bass for Los Morales Boyz is this year’s Big Squeeze winner, Michael Ramos. Los Morales Boyz are making waves throughout the Conjunto world, and just released their first CD, Conjunto Nunca Muere!

Los Texmaniacs, founded by bajo sexto master Max Baca, are known for playing hardcore Conjunto, but also adding a little something from other genres as well. Their albums with Smithsonian Folkways have not only been extraordinarily successful, but have also helped add Conjunto to the map of uniquely American roots music. Borders and Bailes, an album full of traditional Conjunto favorites, took home the 2009 Grammy Award for Best Tejano Album.

Texas Folklife is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and presenting the diverse cultures and living heritage of the Lone Star State. Every year, they present the Big Squeeze Accordion Contest, with young accordionists from various genres and from all parts of Texas competing for the top prize.

Long story short: Conditions are perfect for a squeezebox jam session of epic proportions, along with a glimpse at the future of Conjunto. It’s great to see such a legendary Austin music venue embrace some of the purest Texas music out there as well.

Antone’s is located at 2015 E. Riverside, just south of Riverside off of Burton Drive. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 pre-sale available online here or $7 at the door. All ages are welcome. Follow the Facebook event here.

[4/20] Preview: Big Squeeze Accordion Contest Semi-Finals

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On Saturday April 20, the Bob Bullock Museum hosts 7th Annual Big Squeeze Accordion Contest Semi-Finals, presented by Texas Folklife. The event will feature performances by eight of the state’s most talented young accordion players, as well as performances by other groups, as well as last year’s winner.

Kicking things off will be Austin’s own Susan Torres y Conjunto Clemencia, which features personnel from Conjunto Los Pinkys…Clemencia Zapata (drums and vocals), Bradley Jaye Williams (bajo quinto, accordion and vocals), and Javier Cruz (bass). On the squeezebox and vocals is the ever-ebullient Susan Torres. The energy and enthusiasm of this group will get the day off to a great start.

After the eight semi-finalists give their all to make it to the final round, last year’s winner, Peter Anzaldua of Brownsville will take the stage.

Closing out the show will be Houston’s Step Rideau and the Zydeco Outlaws, bringing the flavors of Louisiana and East Texas and showcasing yet another style of accordion playing.

Long story short: A fun afternoon with a sampling of different accordion styles and a glimpse of the future.

The Bob Bullock Museum is located at 1800 Congress, at the corner of MLK and Congress in downtown Austin. Music starts at 2 p.m., admission is free, and all ages are welcome. View the Facebook event here.