Leonardo 'Flaco' Jiménez, legendary Mexican American accordion player and singer-songwriter who expanded the reach and popularity of conjunto and tejano music and was also known for his contributions to norteño,

Born into a family of conjunto pioneers, Flaco Jimenez took his Hohner three-row button accordion from San Antonio to the stages of the world, becoming the music’s greatest ambassador. Jimenez died Thursday evening at one of his son’s homes following a long illness. He was 86.

Tejano and conjunto music legend Flaco Jiménez has died at age 86. The six-time Grammy winner was recognized as a pioneer in the Tejano music genre and was exalted for his virtuoso accordion skills.