Música Tejana

 

The heritage of Texas reflects a diverse blend of cultures and people, a blend that has shaped this stateÕs history into a story that cannot be told without the presence of Mexico and the folklore inspired by the southern neighbor of Texas.

In the late 17^th century, Spanish settlers entered the area of present day Texas and created numerous home sites, missions, and pueblas. However, because of the southern location of the Rio Grande Valley, this particular area became more closely linked to Mexico and its states. The unique relationship of these land areas and the people residing in them spawned the birth of the Òtejano,Ó a Texan with Mexican heritage. The majority of such Texans enjoyed a life filled with manual labor, ranching, farming, and agricultural duties. To pass the days, many workers sang songs such as corridos that told important historical events of Mexico and early Texas life. These corridos had survived throughout the generations and sounded to the accompaniment of guitars, flutes, and small drums. Tejanos created new corridos about the struggles of ranch life in Texas, criminals and important events as they related to Texas. Throughout the 19^th century, German, Czech, and Polish immigrants added their own nuances of European culture and such musical styles as polkas and waltzes. However, their biggest contribution to the tejano sound proved to be the accordion. The instrument combination of the accordion, drums, and a 12 string bass guitar known as a Òbajo sextoÓ gave tejano music a personal sound unique to Texas alone.

Numerous innovations evolved throughout the 20^th century for this Texas genre. In the 1950Õs, Isidiro Lopez replaced the Spanish lyrical singing style with Òtex-mexÓ vocabulary and slang. This added to the personal feel of tejano music and better helped Texans identify with the tales told through the lyrics. In the late 1970Õs, the band ÒGroupo MazzÓ allegedly added the keyboard to the flavor of cojunto tejano. Major record labels first produced commercial tejano records in the 1920Õs. However, the Great Depression and World War II led to the cessation of ethnic record production. This directly caused local record companies to pick up the slack of production in order to fill the demand for this genre of music. Armando Marroquin created the Alice-based company of Ideal records to sponsor local talent and produce specifically tejano music. MarroquinÕs wife Carmen and her sister Laura served as pioneers for the recording and spread of tejano music during this time. Other talent of this genre included Narciso Martinez (greatly inspired by German accordion folk songs), the first female tejano Lydia Mendoza, and Maya y Cantu.

In 1949 Jesus Maya and Timoteo Cantu produced a tejano sound based on the corrido tale of Gregorio Cortez. They altered the original corrido format into a tejano lyrical reflection.

Tejano Version of Gregorio Cortez In the country of El Carmen, Look at what has happened, The High Sheriff died, Leaving Roman wounded   The following morning when the people arrived, They were saying to each other: ÒThey donÕt know who killed him.Ó   They went around asking questions and about three hours later; They found out that the wrongdoer was Gregorio Cortez.   They posted a reward for Cortez throughout the whole state: Capture him dead or alive because he has killed several men.Ó   Gregorio Cortez was saying with his pistol in his hand: ÒI donÕt regret having killed him, The one IÕm sorry about is my brother.Ó   Gregorio Cortez was saying with his soul all ablaze: I donÕt regret having killed him, Self-defense is permitted.Ó   The Americans were saying: ÒIf we see him what will we do? If we face him head on, Very few of us will return alive.Ó   Gregorio tells Juan: ÒVery soon you will see it, go, Tell the sheriffs to come and arrest me.Ó   When the sheriffs arrived, Gregorio presented himself: ÒYou take me because IÕm willing, But not any other way.Ó   Now theyÕve captured Cortez, Now the matter has come to an end: His poor unfortunate family, He carries in his heart

Corrido De Gregorio Cortez Part 1 In the country of the Carmen Look what happened The sheriff died leaving Roman wounded The following morning When people arrived Some said to others They don't know who killed him They were investigating And three hours later They found out the wrongdoer Was Gregorio Cortez Cortez was wanted Thoroughout the state Alive or dead apprehended For he has killed several Said Gregorio Cortez With his pistol in his hand "I'm not sorry I killed him Self defense is permitted Americans came They flew like the wind Trying to win The 3,000 pesos reward They continued toward Gonzales Several sheriffs saw him They did not want to continue Because they were afraid of him Came the hound dogs They came on his trail But to reach Cortez Was to reach a star Gregorio Cortez said "What's the use of plans If you can't catch me Even with those hound dogs Corrido De Gregorio Cortez Part 2 The Americans said If we see him what shall we do to him If we face him head on Very few will return In the ranch corral They managed to surround him A little more than 300 men There he gave them the slip There around Encinal From all they say They had a shoot-out And he killed another sheriff Gregorio Cortez said, With his pistol in his hand Don't run, you cowardly Rangers I am Gregorio Cortez Gregorio says to Juan Very soon you will see Go and talk to the sheriffs They should come and arrest me When the sheriffs came Gregorio presented himself You'll take me if I wish it Because there is no other way Now they caught Cortez Now the case is closed His poor family He carries in his heart With this I take my leave In the shade of a cypress Here we finish singing The tragedy of Cortez

Immediately, readers can trace the essence of corridos in the words of this tejano song. Certain formulaic motifs such as the telling of location as well as speech events, have endured through the transition into the tejano genre. However, the sound of tejano music has evolved into a musical genre entirely unique. Numerous modern groups such as Intocable, Gary Hobbs, Los Palominos, Grupo Fuego, Los Frijoles Romanticos, Jay Perez, Quatro Vatos Locos, Kumbia Kings, Big Circo, and Los Tigres del Norte have worked hard to create a modern drive for this music form as well as continue the evolution of this genre. Several artists, including Jay Perez and Grupo Mazz, have even won national prestige with such awards as a Grammy. All across Texas and now even the modern world, the sounds of heartache, ranch life troubles, adultery, unceasing love, and legends sound through the distinctive beat of Tejano music.