Flaco Jiménez, the Tejano music icon whose virtuosic accordion playing and pioneering contributions to conjunto and Tex-Mex music brought global acclaim to a cherished South Texas tradition, has died at 86. His family confirmed his passing on Thursday night (July 31) via a statement shared on his official social media pages.

Could tejano music have picked a more jovial, warmhearted ambassador? Leonard “Flaco” Jiménez, who died Thursday at the age of 86, was something more than simply a master accordion player and an exceptionally versatile session musician: He was a steward of the joy his music brought to others and the power it had to bring people together.