Autographed Bajo Quinto Finds Home in New UTSA Exhibition Celebrating Conjunto Heritage

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — What began as a fundraising idea for a local arts festival has evolved into a powerful symbol of South Texas musical history.

A one-of-a-kind autographed H. Jimenez bajo quinto, signed by legendary conjunto and Tex-Mex music pioneers Flaco Jiménez, Augie Meyers, Max Baca, and members of Los Texmaniacs, is now on public display as part of the new exhibition, ¡Puro Conjunto! Border(less) Sound, at the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures.

The remarkable journey of the instrument began in March 2023 when Max Baca, founder of Los Texmaniacs, donated the bajo quinto to San Antonio arts nonprofit Luminaria. The original plan was simple: collect signatures from the musicians and auction the instrument to raise funds for the annual Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival.

Luminaria Executive Director Yadhira Lozano received the instrument from Baca during a Los Texmaniacs performance at Gruene Hall. Over time, the bajo was signed by Flaco Jiménez, Augie Meyers, Max Baca, and members of Los Texmaniacs, transforming it into a treasured piece of Texas music history.

Before a fundraising campaign could be organized, Lozano experienced the unexpected loss of her father. Faced with personal tragedy and unable to dedicate the time needed to properly showcase such a unique item, she asked Baca if the auction could be postponed.

That same year, Los Texmaniacs, Flaco Jiménez, and Dwayne Verheyden performed at Luminaria in downtown San Antonio at Hemisfair, drawing enthusiastic crowds and celebrating the city’s rich musical heritage.

The following year, the group’s touring schedule prevented them from appearing at the festival, and the autographed instrument remained safely stored while organizers waited for the right opportunity.

By the summer of 2025, Flaco Jiménez’s health had declined, and the legendary accordionist was no longer making public appearances. In May, Luminaria hosted a concert photography exhibition featuring iconic images of Flaco alongside actor Jesse Borrego. The event included a discussion about San Antonio’s musical legacy, and attendees were invited to sign a large poster featuring a photograph of Flaco performing at Luminaria in 2023.

The signed poster was later presented to Flaco’s son, Arturo Jiménez, who brought it to his father’s bedside.

During the exhibition, Flaco shared a heartfelt message with fans:

“I’m sorry I can’t be there tonight with you all, but I hope to see you very soon. It’s an honor to be included in the Luminaria Pop-Up Art Gallery tonight. A big thank you to Yadhira Lozano and everyone at Luminaria for making this possible.

I want to send love and express my gratitude to all of my fans and friends for your continued support, and thank you for the kind messages over the last few months.”

Flaco Jiménez passed away on July 31, 2025. Although Los Texmaniacs were again unable to perform at that year’s festival, Arturo Jiménez, Jesse Borrego, and Shelly Lares organized a special tribute performance in his honor.

Another loss followed in March 2026 with the passing of Augie Meyers, marking the end of an era as the final surviving member of the legendary Texas Tornados.

With the deaths of two iconic Texas music pioneers whose signatures adorn the instrument, the autographed bajo quinto had become something much greater than a fundraiser.

Auctioning it to the highest bidder no longer felt like the right way to honor their legacy.

At the same time, San Antonio’s cultural landscape was undergoing significant changes. The Institute of Texan Cultures had relocated from its longtime home on César E. Chávez Boulevard to a new downtown facility on Houston Street next to Frost Tower. While smaller in size, the new museum features a grand lobby entrance, permanent galleries, and dedicated exhibition space.

When Lozano met with Bianca Alvarez, Head Curator at the Institute of Texan Cultures, she shared the story behind the instrument. As fate would have it, Alvarez was already developing an exhibition focused on conjunto music.

That conversation led to the bajo’s inclusion in ¡Puro Conjunto! Border(less) Sound.

Rather than disappearing into a private collection, the instrument now serves as a public tribute to the artists who helped define and preserve conjunto music for generations.

Lozano fondly recalls asking Flaco Jiménez to sign the instrument.

“As he signed it, he became a little self-conscious about his handwriting and told me, ‘You fix it, mija,'” she said.

She never did.

His signature remains exactly as he left it.

“His fans were very important to him. He always wanted to look good and sound good for them, and they loved him right back,” Lozano said. “I am truly humbled and honored to be the caretaker of this amazing instrument, and very grateful to Bianca and the Institute of Texan Cultures staff for their love and care of our music and culture.”

According to Alvarez, the exhibition explores much more than the music itself.

“This exhibit celebrates the enduring vitality of Conjunto as both a musical tradition and a layered, living cultural archive,” Alvarez said. “At its core, ‘Puro Conjunto’ is about community — about the rhythm of everyday life, memory, and celebration. It invites audiences to experience the genre as a powerful expression of identity and belonging by acknowledging the artists, instruments, and stories that keep Conjunto vibrant and relevant today.”

The exhibition features a dynamic collection of rare artifacts, storytelling experiences, music, and interactive displays. Highlights include Bruno Villarreal’s accordion, the autographed bajo quinto signed by Flaco Jiménez, Augie Meyers, and Max Baca, and a performance dress worn by legendary Tejano and conjunto pioneer Lydia Mendoza.

Visitors can also enjoy a listening lounge, dance floor, and hands-on instrument station designed to immerse guests in the sounds and traditions that have shaped South Texas culture for generations.

¡Puro Conjunto! Border(less) Sound is now open at the Institute of Texan Cultures and will remain on display through May 30, 2027, ensuring that the stories, music, and legacy of conjunto continue to inspire future generations.

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