Ventura Alonzo
Ventura Martínez Alonzo (December 30, 1904 – December 14, 2000) was a Mexican-born American musician. She was known as the "Queen of the Accordion".[1]
She was born Ventura Martínez in
Houston in 1917. Alonzo married a man named Gallegos. Together, they had 3 sons. The couple later divorced and she married Frank Alonzo in 1931. The couple formed a group known as Alonzo y Sus Rancheros; she played accordion and piano and was lead vocalist. They recorded for Falcon Records and a number of other record labels. After World War II, the group changed its name to Alonzo y su Orquesta; they performed throughout Texas. In 1956, the couple opened the La Terraza ballroom in Houston, catering to customers of Mexican descent. They retired from performing in 1969.[1][2]
In 2002, she was inducted into the
Tejano R.O.O.T.S. Hall of Fame.[1]
Professional accomplishments
As an accomplished accordionist, Alonzo has been identified as one of the few instrumentalists in commercial orquestas, and one of the few women in a leadership position in her band Alonzo y Sus Rancheros.[3]
Legacy
According to historian Deborah Vargas, Alonzo has often been noted as Houston's first lady of accordion. [4]
References
- ^ a b c "Alonzo, Ventura Martínez". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association.
- ^ "Frank and Ventura Alonzo Collection". Texas Archival Resources Online.
- ISBN 9780816673179.
- ISBN 9780816673179.