








About the Project
San Antonio has a unique and important musical history that evolved out of being a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries. Yet, despite being globally recognized for some of its contributions, there has never been a book about the city’s collective musical history.
UTSA Libraries and the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures are excited to publish A History of Music in San Antonio, which will be released Spring 2026. The book will include contributions from musicians, scholars, music writers, record collectors and others who know and love San Antonio music history.
Utilizing material from UTSA Special Collections, the UTSA Art Collection and items loaned by members of the public, the project will highlight and celebrate the music of beautiful and diverse communities and serve as a resource for future scholars and students.
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16
Musicians and spectators, Haymarket Plaza, 1933
Musicians and spectators, Haymarket Plaza. January 1933.L-1433-D. San Antonio Light Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
01
Chili Stand, Haymarket Plaza, San Antonio, Texas, 1933
Musicians performing at a chili stand, Haymarket Plaza, 1933.L-1433-H. San Antonio Light Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
02
Lydia Mendoza with guitar
”Lydia Mendoza makes good in big way.”L-3514-A. San Antonio Light Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
03
Lydia Mendoza
Lydia Mendoza poses with her guitar at the time she was being recorded by RCA-Victor under the supervision of company representative Eli E. Oberstein. October 1936.L-1512-MM. San Antonio Light Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
04
Rosita Fernández
Rosita Fernández.Z-2832-A-04. Zintgraff Studios Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
05
Rosita Fernández
Mexican-American musicians in patio of Spanish Governor’s Palace, Two guitarists and Rosita Fernández.Z-1573-A-03. Zintgraff Studios Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
06
Don Albert and members of his orchestra beside their bus on their sixth tour, Spring 1935
Photograph shows members of the territorial band beside their new bus with lettering on side: ”America’s Greatest Swing Band. Don Albert and his Music.” (L. to r.) standing: Frank Jacquet, Albert ”Fats” Martin, Don Albert, Louis Cottrell Jr., James ”Dink” Taylor, Floyd Snelson (looking out window of bus), Hiram Hrding, Herb Hall, and Henry Turner; seated on hood of bus: Alvin Alcorn, Lloyd Glenn (behind Alcorn), Jimmie Johnson, and Ferdinand Dejan. On bus roof is William ”Geechee” Robinson, and Sam Labirt.107-0068. General Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections, courtesy of Kenneth G. Dominique. -
07
Don Albert playing his trumpet into KONO Radio microphone, San Antonio, Texas, 1950s
Photograph shows waist-length view of Don Albert (Albert Dominique) playing his trumpet.107-0093. General Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections, courtesy of Kenneth G. Dominique. -
08
Curley Mays with guitar, ca. 1979
Photograph shows full-length portrait of Curley Mays inside his home at 1750 E. Commerce Street.107-0461. General Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections, courtesy of Curley Mays. -
09
Wylie Miller holding a guitar, c.1890
Tintype portrait of Wiley Miller (1857-1926), resident of San Antonio, Texas, and son of Emeline Miller,holding a guitar.091-0207. General Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections, courtesy of Stella Hollis. -
10
Santiago Jiménez, Jr.
Photograph shows Santiago Jiménez, Jr., with his accordion.097-0224. General Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
11
Santiago Jiménez y sus Valedores
(L-R) Ismael Gonzales, Santiago Jiménez, and Manuel González. ca. 1946-1949.082-0085. General Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections, courtesy of Santiago Jiménez, Sr. -
12
Flaco Jiménez, at home in San Antonio
Musician Flaco Jiménez is pictured in his home in San Antonio in 2006. The photo, a digital silver gelatin matte print, was taken by artist and filmmaker Guillerma Zabala. The portrait is part of the UTSA Art Collection.UTSA Art Collection. Guillermina Zabala, artist. 2006. -
13
Doug Sahm at 1986 Conjunto Festival
Doug Sahm performing at Tejano Conjunto Festival, Rosedale Park. May 16, 1986.E-0352-038-24. San Antonio Express-News Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
14
Augie Meyers at 1986 Conjunto Festival
Augie Meyers performing at Tejano Conjunto Festival, Rosedale Park. May 16, 1986.E-0352-038-11. San Antonio Express-News Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
15
Ruby Lomax (John’s wife) recording musicians
Ruby T. Lomax recording folk music. December 1941.L-2860-F. San Antonio Light Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
16
Musicians and spectators, Haymarket Plaza, 1933
Musicians and spectators, Haymarket Plaza. January 1933.L-1433-D. San Antonio Light Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
01
Chili Stand, Haymarket Plaza, San Antonio, Texas, 1933
Musicians performing at a chili stand, Haymarket Plaza, 1933.L-1433-H. San Antonio Light Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
02
Lydia Mendoza with guitar
”Lydia Mendoza makes good in big way.”L-3514-A. San Antonio Light Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
03
Lydia Mendoza
Lydia Mendoza poses with her guitar at the time she was being recorded by RCA-Victor under the supervision of company representative Eli E. Oberstein. October 1936.L-1512-MM. San Antonio Light Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
04
Rosita Fernández
Rosita Fernández.Z-2832-A-04. Zintgraff Studios Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
05
Rosita Fernández
Mexican-American musicians in patio of Spanish Governor’s Palace, Two guitarists and Rosita Fernández.Z-1573-A-03. Zintgraff Studios Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
06
Don Albert and members of his orchestra beside their bus on their sixth tour, Spring 1935
Photograph shows members of the territorial band beside their new bus with lettering on side: ”America’s Greatest Swing Band. Don Albert and his Music.” (L. to r.) standing: Frank Jacquet, Albert ”Fats” Martin, Don Albert, Louis Cottrell Jr., James ”Dink” Taylor, Floyd Snelson (looking out window of bus), Hiram Hrding, Herb Hall, and Henry Turner; seated on hood of bus: Alvin Alcorn, Lloyd Glenn (behind Alcorn), Jimmie Johnson, and Ferdinand Dejan. On bus roof is William ”Geechee” Robinson, and Sam Labirt.107-0068. General Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections, courtesy of Kenneth G. Dominique. -
07
Don Albert playing his trumpet into KONO Radio microphone, San Antonio, Texas, 1950s
Photograph shows waist-length view of Don Albert (Albert Dominique) playing his trumpet.107-0093. General Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections, courtesy of Kenneth G. Dominique. -
08
Curley Mays with guitar, ca. 1979
Photograph shows full-length portrait of Curley Mays inside his home at 1750 E. Commerce Street.107-0461. General Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections, courtesy of Curley Mays. -
09
Wylie Miller holding a guitar, c.1890
Tintype portrait of Wiley Miller (1857-1926), resident of San Antonio, Texas, and son of Emeline Miller,holding a guitar.091-0207. General Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections, courtesy of Stella Hollis. -
10
Santiago Jiménez, Jr.
Photograph shows Santiago Jiménez, Jr., with his accordion.097-0224. General Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
11
Santiago Jiménez y sus Valedores
(L-R) Ismael Gonzales, Santiago Jiménez, and Manuel González. ca. 1946-1949.082-0085. General Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections, courtesy of Santiago Jiménez, Sr. -
12
Flaco Jiménez, at home in San Antonio
Musician Flaco Jiménez is pictured in his home in San Antonio in 2006. The photo, a digital silver gelatin matte print, was taken by artist and filmmaker Guillerma Zabala. The portrait is part of the UTSA Art Collection.UTSA Art Collection. Guillermina Zabala, artist. 2006. -
13
Doug Sahm at 1986 Conjunto Festival
Doug Sahm performing at Tejano Conjunto Festival, Rosedale Park. May 16, 1986.E-0352-038-24. San Antonio Express-News Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
14
Augie Meyers at 1986 Conjunto Festival
Augie Meyers performing at Tejano Conjunto Festival, Rosedale Park. May 16, 1986.E-0352-038-11. San Antonio Express-News Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
15
Ruby Lomax (John’s wife) recording musicians
Ruby T. Lomax recording folk music. December 1941.L-2860-F. San Antonio Light Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections. -
16
Musicians and spectators, Haymarket Plaza, 1933
Musicians and spectators, Haymarket Plaza. January 1933.L-1433-D. San Antonio Light Photograph Collection. UTSA Special Collections.
About the Contributors
Cristina BallíExecutive Director; Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center |
Jim Beal, Jr.San Antonio Express-News (retired) |
Reagan BeresPunk Rock Teacher |
David BlancasMuralist, Cover Artist |
Daniel BoskindPresident; ArtOfficial Media. |
Dr. Yolanda Broyles-GonzálezUniversity Distinguished Professor, Kansas State University |
Rae D. CabelloArchivist & Researcher; The Numero Group and Pecos Records |
Jonathan D. ClarkIndependent Researcher |
Kory CookMusic Director/Chief Announcer, KRTU; Trinity University |
Kirstin CuttsMuseum Education & Outreach Specialist; Institute of Texan Cultures |
Rodolfo GutierrezOwner; San Antonio Music Publishers, Inc. – Del Bravo Record Shop – DLB Record Label |
John HalloranDirector; National Association of Pastoral Musicians, San Antonio Chapter |
Dr. David HellerProfessor of Music; Trinity University |
Dr. Edward KnoeckelUnited States Air Force Band of the West & George Mason University |
John KoegelProfessor of Music; California State University, Fullerton |
Dr. Carl LeafstedtAssociate Professor of Music; Trinity University |
S. Andrew LloydBess Hieronymus Endowed Fellow; University of Texas at San Antonio |
Jason LongoriaSan Antonio Researcher/Music Historian |
John A. LopezCoordinator of Latin Music Studies; Texas State University |
Dr. Joseph LopezAssociate Professor of the Practice in Communication; Texas A&M |
Dr. Daniel MargoliesDirector of Strategic Initiatives, Hussman School of Journalism & Media; University of North Carolina |
Kevin Edward MooneyMusicology Faculty; Texas State University |
Cynthia MuñozProducer; Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza |
Sanford NowlinEditor-in-Chief; San Antonio Current |
Juan B. OrtízCo-Founder and Director, Mariachi Campanas de América |
Dr. Gregory PeekAssociate Teaching Professor of History; Penn State |
Daniel Rosen, Jr.Entertainment Manager; Floore Country Store |
Jacob ShermanReference Librarian; University of Texas at San Antonio |
Samuel M. StahlRabbi Emeritus, Temple Beth-El |
Juan TejedaFounder; Tejano Conjunto Festival en San Antonio |
Iliana VasquezIndependent Researcher / Apprentice: Acordeón y Bajo Sexto |
Carol Orta ZunigaCo-Director; Mariachi y Coro de Colores |
About the Editors
View Bio
|

Dr. Mark Brill
Dr. Mark Brill is associate professor of musicology and world music in the department of music at UTSA. His expertise is in Latin American music and film music, and he has published numerous articles on both subjects. He is also the author of the textbook Music of Latin America and the Caribbean. He has earned degrees from Oberlin College, Tulane University, and the University of California-Davis.
View Bio
|

William Glenn
William Glenn is Head of Reference Services and Music Librarian at UTSA Libraries. While at City University of New York Graduate Center, he served as editor of the NEH award-winning digital humanities project, Music in Gotham: The New York Scene 1862 – 1875. A former FM disc jockey, he has written numerous Wikipedia articles on musicians and their work. Co-founder of Terra Incognita: International Journal in English and Spanish, he held bilingual literary and cultural events in Madrid, Spain, and New York City. He received a Master of Library and Information Science degree from The University of Texas at Austin.
View Bio
Dr. Stan RenardAssociate Dean of the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts & Associate Professor and Coordinator of Arts Management and Entrepreneurship The University of Oklahoma |

Dr. Stan Renard
Dr. Stan Renard is Associate Dean and Associate Professor and Coordinator of Arts Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of Oklahoma Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts. He is the Director of the Arts Incubation Research Lab (AIR Lab), a National Endowment for the Arts Research Lab. The lab’s research team studies the intersection of the arts, entrepreneurship, and innovation at its incubation stage with a research agenda that intends to understand the economic potential of artists as non-conventional entrepreneurs and the impact of the digital divide upon arts-based entrepreneurs. In addition, he is a touring and recording artist, and the founder and arranger of the Grammy-Nominated Bohemian Quartet. Dr. Renard holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts (DMA) from the University of Connecticut as well as a Doctorate in International Business (DBA) from Southern New Hampshire University. Previously held collegiate appointments include Colby College; the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; the University of Connecticut, Storrs; Providence College; Eastern Connecticut State University; Southern New Hampshire University; the University of California at San Diego; and the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he served as Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Music Marketing Program. Dr. Renard is a member of the Yamaha Master Educator Collective, Music Business & Entrepreneurship Group.
About the Music
Blues / R&B |
Chicano Soul |
Classical & Opera |
Conjunto |
Corridos |
Country |
Electronic Dance Music (EDM) |
German & Czech Music |
Heavy Metal |
Jazz |
Mariachi |
Military Band Music |
Music of the Missions |
Musical Theatre & Mexican Vaudeville |
Native American Music |
Norteña |
Punk Rock |
Rap & Hip Hop |
Religious Music |
Roots Rock |
Salsa |
Tejano & Orquesta |


















