Pioneering San Antonio musician Flaco Jiménez died last week at age 86. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Luminaria
Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to remove the name of a speaker who hasn’t yet confirmed their appearance at the event.

A public memorial service for multi-Grammy-winning squeezebox maestro Flaco Jiménez will take place will take place this Thursday at the Carver Community Cultural Center, according an announcement from the musician’s family.

The tribute will include a performance by Los Texmaniacs plus remarks by guests. The event is not a funeral. It’s open to the public and requires no reservation.

“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 including life-long friends, musicians, and fans,” Jiménez’s family said in a statement shared by arts group Luminaria.

Born into a San Antonio family that included two groundbreaking conjunto musicians — father Santiago Jiménez Sr. and grandfather Patricio Jiménez — Flaco Jiménez emerged as one of the music’s most beloved global ambassadors along with his younger brother, Santiago Jiménez Jr., who survives him.

In addition to fronting his own group that incorporated elements of country, blues and zydeco into the Texas-born music, Flaco Jiménez leant his accordion skills to the supergroups Texas Tornadoes and Los Super Seven. He also collaborated with artists as diverse as the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Dr. John, Dwight Yoakam and Emmylou Harris.

Free, 6-9 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 7, Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 N. Hackberry St., (210) 207-7211, facebook.com/flacojimenezofficial.

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This article appears in Jul 23 – Aug 6, 2025.

Sanford Nowlin is editor-in-chief of the San Antonio Current. He holds degrees from Trinity University and the University of Texas at San Antonio, and his work has been featured in Salon, Alternet, Creative...