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Steve Jordan Parche Mix

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Uploaded by on Apr 10, 2010

Esteban "Steve" Jordan (born February 23, 1939) is a conjunto (norteño) and Tejano musician from the United States. He is also known as "El Parche", "The Jimi Hendrix of the accordion", and "the accordion wizard". An accomplished musician, he plays 35 different instruments.

Born in Texas to migrant farm workers and partially blinded as an infant, Jordan was unable to work in the fields. Left at home, he found friendship and guidance among the elderly. At a very young age he was introduced to music, especially the accordion. At the time, the musician Valerio Longoria followed the community of migrant farm workers and played for them in the labor camps. These circumstances brought the two together and the young Esteban mastered the instrument quickly. While he has remained close to his traditional conjunto roots, he has never limited himself musically. More than any other accordionist, Jordan pushes the diatonic accordion to its limits, both musically and physically, playing traditional conjunto, rock, jazz, salsa, zydeco and more.

Unlike many conjunto musicians, he has kept abreast of technological developments, using devices such as phase shifters, fuzzboxes, and synthesizers, and was one of the few conjunto musicians to weave styles such as fusion jazz and rock into his music. He has also recorded country, western and mambo numbers. Members of his family frequently back him up, including his sons Steve Jr., Steve III, Richard, his eldest daughter Anita, and youngest daughter Estela. Currently, Steve III (guitar) and Richard (bass) accompany Esteban on-stage and in recording.

New wave polka bands such as Brave Combo have cited Jordan's influence. In 1986 he was nominated for a Grammy, but lost out to his old friend Flaco Jiménez. His bid for mainstream presence continued in 1986 when he was asked to do the soundtrack for the Cheech Marin film Born in East L.A.

He has appeared in the film Texas Conjunto: Música de la gente, a documentary about Texas conjunto music. He has also appeared in True Stories, an American musical film directed by and starring musician David Byrne. He did the music and appeared as an accordion street player in the film Born in East L.A. starring Cheech Marin.

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Uploader Comments (tejanomaniac)

  • Jordan died of complications from liver cancer on August 13, 2010. He was 71 his body was cremated and his ashes given to his family.

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  • I'm met this man.a big tejano legend. A great freind.R.I.P Mr Esteban" Steve " Jordan.

  • That's right! TEJANO IS NOT DEAD!!!!!!!!!! Let's bring it back Houston Texas!!!

  • this is francine from kansas and i love chicano music and this mix is da bomb

  • @rey3860 Steve Jordan passed away Aug 13 in San Antonio, TX; funeral was held on Aug 19th ... RIP

  • @Ctorres716 WHEN DID STEVE DIE?

  • RIP Steve Jordan ... Tejano legend and musical genius...

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