Foto: Rick Diamond / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images
SAN ANTONIO, TX — The family of the late Tejano and conjunto music legend Flaco Jiménez has officially announced details for a public memorial service to celebrate the life and legacy of the Grammy-winning accordion maestro.
The heartfelt tribute will take place on Thursday, August 7, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Carver Community Cultural Center located at 226 N. Hackberry St. in San Antonio. The event is free and open to the public, with no reservations required.
Presented in partnership with San Antonio arts nonprofit Luminaria, the memorial will include a special performance by Los Texmaniacs, along with tributes and remarks from family members, lifelong friends, musicians, and civic leaders, including Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones.
“His family and friends invite the public to join them in celebrating his long career, enduring legacy, and memory at the public memorial service featuring a prayer service, speakers, and fellow musicians,” the family shared in a statement.
While not a funeral, the gathering serves as an opportunity for fans and admirers to honor a man whose influence transcended generations and musical boundaries.
Flaco Jiménez, born Leonardo Jiménez on March 11, 1939, in San Antonio, passed away on July 31, 2025, at the age of 86. A third-generation musician and son of conjunto pioneer Santiago Jiménez Sr., Flaco began playing the accordion as a child and never looked back. His groundbreaking artistry helped elevate conjunto and Tejano music to international prominence.
Over a legendary seven-decade career, Jiménez earned five Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. His collaborations with mainstream artists like The Texas Tornados, Ry Cooder, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Emmylou Harris helped bring the sounds of the Texas borderlands to audiences around the globe.
His 1992 collaborative album Partners remains a landmark recording, showcasing his ability to bridge genres and cultures. He was also inducted into the Tejano Music Hall of Fame and the International Latin Music Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy as one of the most influential accordionists of all time.
Despite health struggles in recent years, Flaco’s love for music endured. His passing has left a deep void in the hearts of his fans, family, and fellow musicians. He is survived by his children and an international community of admirers who continue to be inspired by his music.
As San Antonio and the world say farewell, the August 7 memorial offers a final chance to celebrate an irreplaceable icon who left behind not only timeless music, but a cultural legacy that will live on for generations.
For more information, visit facebook.com/flacojimenezofficial or contact the Carver Community Cultural Center at (210) 207-7211. Floral arrangements may be delivered to the Carver Center Lobby on Thursday, August 7.
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