La Feria News

Regional Conjunto Legend Gilberto Perez Scheduled to Play This Year’s Fiesta de La Feria

Cover of Gilberto Perez y Sus Compadres 1961 Falcon Record’s release AL ESTAR LLORANDO.

Cover of Gilberto Perez y Sus Compadres 1961 Falcon Record’s release AL ESTAR LLORANDO.

After 40 years of performing, Gilberto Perez has become one of the most widely recognized conjunto artists from South Texas, creating a unique accordion/bajo sexto style. His alto voice in duet with a second voice is highly recognizable as being the one and only Gilberto Perez’ singing style.

Born in Mercedes, Texas the youngest of twelve siblings, Gilberto Perez was attracted to the accordion at a young age, although it was not the first instrument he learned to play. It was the guitar that first caught his interest.

At age 8, Perez got his first experience in guitar playing when he learned to play from friend and longtime musician, Eristeo Flores. The first single with Falcon Records titled “El Dia DE Tu Boda” in 1960 was such a hit that the conjunto was asked to record a full album. The group has continually written and recorded music ever since including the songs, “Con Cartitas,” “Tantos Años,” “Perdon Dios Mio,” “Dame La Llave,” “Quisiera Llevarte,” and the 1997 Grammy nominated song, “Arrancame El Corazon,” among many others.

In keeping with modern times and styles invading all the Rio Grande Valley’s music, Perez tried to incorporate saxophones, electric guitars, an organ, and even an synthesizer into his arrangements, but it never once crossed his mind to relinquish the basic conjunto sound of the accordion, the bajo sexto, the electric bass, and the drums that are his signature sound.
From playing the electric bass guitar and singing rock & roll to creating one of the most unique conjunto sounds in the history of Texas music.

Perez is scheduled to perform on day two (Saturday, February 28, 2015) of this year’s Fiesta de La Feria on Tita’s Stage at 6:15 p.m.

Other acts scheduled to perform at the Fiesta include Mercy Town, Whiskey D and headliners La Sombra on Friday night and El Mariachi Mundial, La Feria High School Ballet Folklorico, Route 66, ZZ Nott (a local ZZ Top tribute act), Los Angeles del Sur, and headliners Ricardo Castillon y La Differencia on Saturday night.

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