Angel Flores
Conjunto Music All-Star
“Con el firi, firi, firi, firi, firi, firi, firi, firi, fi
Con el firi, firi, firi, firi, firi, firi, firi, firi, fa
Y nunca paro de bailar
Cuando me tocan un polkon…
Que no se acabe el acordeon
Porque se muere el corazon”
These lines from “El Firi Firi” recorded by Angel Flores have become an anthem of conjunto music to those who live to dance the accorion driven polkas that bring joy to their hearts.
Saturday night conjunto dances have become synonymous with the term, when people say, “voy al firi, firi.”
“Voy al firir, firi.”
For generations the bellows driven music of “accordeon” has been described as “firi, firi.”
Since he recorded “El Firi Firi”, the song has become a banner for Angel Flores.
As front man for his band out of Corpus Christi, Texas; they are officially known as Angel Flores y Sus Alacranes.
Angel’s Story
Maintaing an elusive presence in his personal life, what people know about Angle Flores, they learn from hearing him play on stage.
Gilbert Reyes of Reyes Accordions describes Angle’s technique as “gusty expressiveness that comes with a lifetime dedicated to the craft.”
The late Steve Jordan once commented that when Angle Flores played there was evidence of influence from Tony de la Rosa, who also pioneered with ranch country accordion music of the Texas Coastal Bend.
Accordionist, vocalist and songwriter.
Flores has recorded for labels:
- El Zarape
- Freddie
- Flaco
- Hacienda
Hacienda records describes his style as “simple, but full of expression and passion.”
Songs with titles like:
- “El Broche de Oro”
- “Ojitos Negros”
- “Un Viejo Amor”
- “Ayer Sali de la Carcel”
Testify to a career of more than 40 years in the conjunto cirlce.
Flores counts as an incredibly loyal fan base and has toured in Texas, Florida, Michigan, Illinois, Oregon, California, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and Wisconsin.
Internet accordion blog entries make references to his choice of quality sounding accordions like the Weltmeister, an East German brand in existence since 1852.
Thos who listen to the Coastal Bend radio stations know he was once a serious perrmer who got regular airplay.
Ill health has kept Angel Flores away from the conjunto circuit in recent years.
Nephews now carry his legacy in their own conjunto keeping the namesake of Los Alacranes, knowing how important it is “Que no se acabe el acordeon, porque se muere el corazon.”
Con el firi fir y el firi fa, we welcome Angel Flores to the Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame.
Location
123 Hey Wood St
San Benito, TX 78586
Contact
(956) 394-2342
info@TexasConjunto.com
Hours
Thursday : 10 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–4:00 p.m.