SAN BENITO — The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center will pay tribute Friday to Juan Tejeda for all of his work in advancing the culture and history of Chicanos in the United States.
A close friend of the Center, Juan has been a tireless warrior in working to improve the social and political conditions of Chicanos through his work as a musician, college professor and community organizer.
Juan Tejeda was born on the South Side of San Antonio in 1953.
By the age of 9, he was already learning to play the accordion from master accordionist Santiago Jimenez, Jr. Juan learned the first song “La Piedrera,” a polkita written and made famous by Don Santiago Jimenez Sr.
His family developed a close relationship with Santiago, Jr. and at one point he was playing the drums for Santiago Jimenez Jr. and his conjunto.
After graduating from high school, he entered the University of Texas at Austin at the height of the Chicano movement.
It was through his involvement in the movement that Juan would blossom into an important cultural warrior.
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Who: Juan Tejeda, Chicano cultural activist, accordionist for Conjunto Aztlan, founder of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center Conjunto Festival in San Antonio and Palo Alto professor
What: Tribute to the Honorable Juan Tejeda
Where: Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, 225 E. Stenger, San Benito When: Friday, Aug. 26, 6:30 p.m.
