Ep. 34: Conjunto Icon

Over the past months I had the opportunity to interview and see two live performance by Jaime De Anda here in Tucson, AZ. As a kid growing up in the nineties I remember hearing Jaime’s music and his popularity amongst the O’odham community on the Tohono O’odham Nation. Over the year’s many waila bands have been inspired by his musical talent as an accordionist and have covered some of his most popular  songs. In this episode I feature conjunto icon Jaime De Anda, known for his expansive accordion skills, and hype performances. During this in-depth conversation Jaime shares how at the age of 4 he was already showing his curiosity and interest to play music. He first began playing around in his dads mechanic shop drumming to the beat of music playing on the radio. As he went back in time and talked about  traveling with his father who played the bajo sexto and played gigs on the weekends, all the while growing an attraction to the sounds and rhythms of conjunto music. By age 7 with the support and encouragement of his parents, Jaime was the drummer for his father’s band and by age 9 Jaime had developed into a full blown musician passionate about learning the accordion, he turned to his dad’s compadre Chema Sanchez. Jaime’s first polka he learned on accordion was Tony De La Rosa’s “Atotonilco.” As a fast learner and truly natural musician he quickly advanced in playing the accordion fluctuating between the dynamics of polkas, rancheras, cumbias, and boleros. By the time Jaime was a teenager he was in a family band called Las Estrellas de Houston with mostly male relatives, that included his Father Raul De Anda. By age 15 during their first recording Raul decided to change the band name to Los Chamacos de Raul De Anda. Tune in to hear the full conversation and hear Jaime’s musical journey as he traversed through the his own growth as a musician, while learning to overcome some of life’s unexpected challenges.

Jaime De Anda performing live at the AVA Amphitheater in South Tucson AZ. Photo by T. Andrew Jaime De Anda on accordion performing live at the AVA Amphitheater in Tucson AZ. Photo by T. Andrew Stevie Ray Vavages playing Bajo Sexto. Photo by T. Andrew Pictured right Tina Andrew and left Jaime De Anda back stage holding accordions belonged to Jaime. Pictured left Jaime De Anda and right Tina Andrew holding mic during an interview with Jaime backstage. Graphic created by T. Andrew. Episode 34 Conjunto Icon.