Recent Video of Ricardo Cabrera competing.
Jose and Lyzet Cabrera, Ricardo Cabrera’s parents share: It has always been our tradition to listen to Conjunto music in our family since Sr. Refugio Cabrera migrated in the 70’s to the United States. He presented this form of music to his sons and now it has been passed down to Ricardo’s generation.
Ricardo has decided to be the musician in the family since we don’t have any musicians at all. This journey has become a fantastic one. We have met amazing people that recognize Ricardo’s talent and have helped him to achieve his dream and develop his passion for accordion.
May 2016 was our first time coming to the Tejano Conjunto Festival in San Antonio because one of our friends mentioned it. Ricardo, who was 8 years old at the time, was amazed by the live performances and especially of the button accordion.
In May 2017 we came back again to the Tejano Conjunto Festival and this time Ricardo was at the playground with his younger brother, Juan Pablo, and Ricardo disappeared and we could not find him… it took us over 10 minutes for us to find him. When his father, Jose Cabrera, found him, he was standing near an accordion store admiring a “red accordion”. He asked us to purchase a raffle ticket for a chance to win an accordion and we didn’t have any luck.
In June, Dad purchased his first accordion but we could not find any classes in Austin Texas and decided to drive to San Antonio Texas every Monday for some classes at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center with Ms. Eva Ybarra 2017 Endowment of the Arts Winner 2017. Ms. Eva Ybarra invited him on stage with only two months of learning at the MACC, Mexican American Cultural Center and it was very successful presentation.
During 2018, Ricardo improved greatly! We learned from a friend that closer to Austin there was another great button accordion instructor Joel Guzman, Butler School of Music- the University of Texas, grammy award winner. Mr. Joel was amazed by his skills of playing the bass with the left hand since it’s a tradition that was lost over the years and not common for a 9 year old to play in less than six months learning.
In Spring 2018 we heard about the Big Squeeze from Texas Folklife contest, Ricardo auditioned and move on to the finals held at the Bob Bullock State of Texas History Museum in Austin Texas. He also auditioned for the 2019 making it to the semi finals, and moving on to the finals. Ricardo was invited to the Manor Texas Heritage Festival where he improvised an amazing duo with Juan Dias, Austin’s own artist and later he invited Ricardo to perform as a special guest at the Paramount Theatre Fiesta 2018 in Austin.
In 2018 Ricardo was interviewed by Joy Dias from the Texas Standards and KUT 98.9 Eklektikos with John Aielli. University of Texas in 2019 for the KXAN special interview for being the only finalist from Austin Texas. He also auditioned for Drama Entertainment Youth Show and successfully passed to the finals achieving 2nd place. Last 2018 Cinco de Mayo Festival At Fiesta Gardens in Austin TX Ricardo was congratulated for playing Conjunto music by Johnny Degollado.
In 2018 and 2019 at Cinco de Mayo Tejano Conjunto Festival Rancho Alegre at Stubbs BBQ he met Flaco Jimenez and performed on stage with J. R. Gomez. In 2018 and 2019 Accordion Wars IV & V gave him second place for the AW- V. In 2018 & 2019 Ricardo performed on stage at the Tejano Conjunto Festival in San Antonio with the Guadalupe Mexican Cultural Center Student Academy who askedhim to perform last to recognize his talent.
In 2018 Ricardo recorded a video- “El Color de Tus Ojos”- with Mia, age 11, possibly the youngest winner in history for the category of Female Tejano Music Award and in 2019 they both performed at the Austin Rodeo.
Ricardo has participated in many local events including Non-profit organizations that assist the community to performing to Sweet 15 parties. He has been tremendously recognized having people coming to him to tip him monetarily to support his music classes. Ricardo purchased his own accordion with his tip money. In addition, he also plays the piano, drums, congas and guitar.
Ricardo’s parents, Jose and Lyzet Cabrera said, “Our son has been invited many times by local bands including Dia Cero, Down South Band and the latest on July 30th 2019 at the Broken Spoke with Ms. Debra Peters and The Love Saints. It was amazing to receive great compliments from the audience who fully enjoyed their music. We are very thankful to Ms. Debra Peters for her support and we are looking forward to working with her in future presentations as well for instruction.”
Debra Peters has included him as a member of her band, Debra Peters & The Love Saints. She will be featuring Ricardo at the Broken Spoke on the last Tuesday of every month Accordion Round-Up. The location is 3201 South Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX. The next date will be Tuesday, August 27, 2019. Make sure to see and hear this rising talent.
His proud parents added, “Ricardo is now 11 and going strong. Self taught by ear, he has a large repertoire. He is also composing on his own and working on his vocals. We are very excited about his musical future. He plays with his soul and his heart. He is very humble in that he doesn’t realize how great he is, so natural.”
Ricardo said, ““I love to play accordion,” he said. “It’s kind of like my life.” We all can see and hear that. We wish him continuing successes!
For further information: Jaimeslyzet@msn.com
