Juan Longoria, Jr.

Juan Longoria Jr., inspired by the musical influences of his father, Juan Longoria Sr., and his uncles, “Los Halcones Del Valle,” co-founded the musical groups “Los Potrillos” in 1998 and “Conteño” in 2008 with his brother Federico Longoria. “Conteño” is representative of the harmonious balance of styles distinctive to regional Texas-Mexican music including the genres of Conjunto, Tejano and Norteño.

Grupo Conteño, hailing from the border town of Brownsville, Texas, has a signature style that is an explosion of upbeat, modern rythms rooted in traditional sounds. These unique characteristics have created a faithful fan base in the Rio Grande Valley and throughout the state of Texas. Juan has received various individual awards throughout his professional career as an accordionist. Juan was named the 1st place winner at “The Big Squeeze” accordion competition held by Texas Folklife in June 2007 and was subsequently featured in Hector Galan’s documentary, “The Big Squeeze,” released in 2008. In the fall of 2012, Juan was given the opportunity to found a new conjunto music program at Los Fresnos High School in Los Fresnos, Texas. The conjunto program has blossomed over the last eleven years and now accounts for about 100 students yearly receiving fine arts credit as part of the program. In May 2017, the Texas State Senate issued Senate Resolution 670 to the Los Fresnos High School Conjunto at the State Capital in Austin, Texas in recognition of their preservation of Texas folk music. In 2016, Conteño was selected to participate in the national folk festival circuit including performances and workshops at Montana and Richmond Folk Festivals.

Juan has continued to support the preservation and promotion of traditional Texas-Mexican conjunto music through participation in various apprentice, consulting and educational programs with various educational and folk organizations in the state of Texas and across the nation.

Being a Taproot Fellow is an honor that I share with my family, friends, and community. I perform and teach accordion-based conjunto music not only because I love music, but because of the way this music strengthens the bond of families and communities. The recognition of being a Taproot Fellow helps support and promote the rich musical culture of my Mexican-American heritage and allows conjunto music to be recognized on a national scale. I learned this music through my father, uncles, and friends, and being a Taproot artist gives me a sense of assurance that I will be able to continue to foster the legacy I have inherited through my students, community, and the nation.