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Los Fantasmas del Valle play la musica tejana, also called "Tex-Mex" or conjunto, a lively style originating in the late 19th century when German, Czech, and Polish immigrants introduced the button accordion into Mexican working-class communities in southern Texas.Prior to this time, the music in this region was a mix of traditional Mexican genres and popular European dances such as the polka, schottische, mazurka, and waltz. Over the next 50 years, a new form evolved, combining the accordion sound with this dance music. By the early 1930s the modern conjunto style had emerged as a vibrant and distinctive Tex-Mex fusion. A boisterous music performed primarily for dancing, it revolves around the sounds of the accordion and the bajo sexto, a 12-string guitar-like instrument that adds a bass rhythm. Electric bass and drums were added later, beginning in the 1950s.Los Fantasmas del Valle formed in 1968 in Mercedes, Texas, a city in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Known to locals simply as "El Valle," the region's a hotbed of conjunto (which literally means "group") music. Inspired by the lyrics of their first recorded song, "Mis Pasos Andaran," about a young man whose ghost still haunts the girl he loved, the group adopted the name "Fantasmas" (ghosts). Since then, Los Fantasmas del Valle have made more than 45 recordings in their 39 years together, and performed all over the U.S. and in Mexico. Founding members Hector Barron (bass, vocals) and Julian Figueroa (bajo sexto, vocals) were joined in 1992 by drummer Cruz Gonzalez. The group's newest member, 23-year-old Rodney Rodriguez (accordion) from Rio Grande City, joined in May of 2000. He replaced Mike Gonzalez, who contributed to the success of the group for more than 25 years before leaving for health reasons.This Valley -style music, which is accepted throughout the state of Texas as true Tejano music, is perfect for dancing and having a great time. This four piece band has steady driving rhythms and vocal harmonies that make all who hear them want to dance and sing along. Their rendition of old folk songs interpreted in their unique style truly make these songs their own. The interplay of voices and the tightness of the music as a whole is something that can only come from years of working together and getting it right. To hear Los Fantasmas del Valle is to hear something not found in nearly enough Tejano music, confident maturity.
For booking info. please contact Hector Barron at (956)565-3645
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