Music
Press
For more than 30 years, accordionist/vocalist Mingo Saldivar has been a consistent presence in conjunto circles. While he does traditional polkas, rancheras and other vintage songs, Saldivar's music packs a potent emotional punch. His tone and delivery have a bluesy, poignant quality that can be discerned even among those who don't speak Spanish. Likewise, the blistering accordion support underneath his singing and the way he spearheads his band transcends language barriers. The group sometimes uses two bajo sextos, plus bass and drums, but it's Saldivar's leads and accordion lines that fuel the group and make this an instructive and entertaining collection. - All Music Guide - Ron Wynn
Accordion-led polkas, rancheras and cumbias resonated all day and night at Market Square during the "Accordion Abuse Festival"Saturday.Los Padrz, Los Desperadoz, Los Astronautas and others performed on the multiple stages, each playing in their own distinctive styles- but especially captivating was accordionist Mingo Saldivar.
Old enough to be considered a pioner, and yet daring and deft enough to outshine the young Turks, Saldivar is the real thing among the pretenders in the Tejano conjunto world.
Saldivar played with speed and force in uptempo songs like "Rueda De Fuego" and "Mujer Perversa" but the wily veteran knows the power of restraint and slowed his accordion runs on the percolating boleros.
Long Afger the afternoon heat had cooled, Saldivar cooked along on his energetic and engaging show, alternating between fast-talking showman and sizzling accordionist. Even people hundreds of yards away could feel the honest vibes from Saldivar, a man who throughly enjoys his craft and happily shares his enthusiasm with his audiences.'
Ramiro Burr - Express News- Ramiro Burr
Texas-born Mingo Saldivar and his band, all in black clothes, followed with roadhouse-style conjunto. forget that Pepsi commercial imagining a young Jimi Hendrix passing up the accordion for the guitar- the charismatic Saldivar's pumping button-accordion playing is anthing but schlocky, and his Tejano-meets-country-meets-polka interpretiations of Johnny Cash brought a little grit to the upscale room said a recent review.
One of the most innovative and electrifying accordionists in Tejano Conjunto history, Mingo Saldivar is unmatched in his virtuosic playing style and prolific sonwriting abilities. A San Antonio native, Saldivar has been perfoming professionally since 1947. With diverse influences from rock and R&B; his accordion style featured rapid fire fingering, accentuated phrasing and extended melody lines. Taking his cue from other musical genres, Saldivar's vibrant stage personality has earned him the beloved title " The Dancing Cowboy"
In 1975 Saldivar formed is current group, Los Tremendos Cuatro Espadas, which continues to be one of the most progressive conjuntos in South Texas. By tastefully and enthusiastically combining traditional conjunto rhythms with county, R&B; and rock and roll, Saldivar's music broadens an unmistakable Tex-Mex spirit. Recognition of this successful merging of tradition and innovation came when he was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1993.
He has performed nationally a tusch prestigious institutions and events as Carnegie Hall, Wolf Trap, and the 1992 Presidential Inaugual. In the last several years, Saldivar has become a sensation in Northern Mexico, performing for enormous audiences and even sparking a dance craze based on his own eccentric movements the "Mingo Mania:. - LasVegas Accordion Convention
Discography
A Taste Of Texas 2002 (Grammy Nominated)
Rueda De Fuego 2001
Return of the Dancing Cowboy 2001
Rueda De Fuego : 20 Hits 2001
Chicano Alegre 1995
Mirame 1995
Dancing Cowboy Sings Country 1995
I Love my Freedom I love My Texas 1992 (Grammy Nominated)
Photos
Bio
A career than spans over four decades, Saldivar has grown to be one of the most dynamic and electrifying accordionist today. He is considered not only a pioneer, but a legend in Conjunto music.
At the age of 66, Saldivar was awarded our nations highest honor. In September of 2002, the National Endowment for the Arts awarded Mingo with the National Heritage Fellowship Award. An award that recognizes individuals for their lifetime achievement, artistic excellence and contributions to our nations traditional arts heritage.
Known to his fans as "The Dancing Cowboy", Saldivar is now considered a National Treasure for his contributions through his music. Born in Marion, Texas a small community just Northeast of San Antonio, Saldivar was introduced to music by his father Jesus Saldivar and mother Pauline Saldivar. At the age of 11 Saldivar began learning the guitar, taught to him by his father. In time and after mastering several different instruments, Saldivar found his talent to be with the button accordion.
After spending sometime in the army as a paratrooper, Saldivar was introduced to the sound of country music and rhythm and blues, which today you can hear how he has incorporated it into his own unique style of playing. After leaving the army, Saldivar played with different conjunto bands, including Los Guadalupanos.
In 1964, Saldivar took his family to Anchorage, Alaska where he opened up a Mexican restaurant and created the only Conjunto band in the area. In 1971, Saldivar came back to his native San Antonio, where in 1975 started his own group known today as Mingo Saldivar Y Los Cuatro Espadas.
In recent years Saldivar has played at such venues as President Clinton's First Inaugural Gala, the 1996 Olympics, Carnegie Hall, and a 5 week USIA tour of Africa and the Near Middle East. Saldivar is an Ambassador of Hispanic culture and tradition, sending his message through every note played on his accordion.
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