The Extraordinary German Roots of Tejano Music

What is more German than Octoberfest, a beer stein and a pulsing polka band leading crowds adorned in lederhosen and dirndl dresses? The Bavarian tradition of singing and swaying to waltzes with food and drink, dates to 1810 Munich, when King Ludwig’s marriage celebration expanded into an annual festival. Several towns and cities in the Texas Triangle host dozens of events each year. This popular tradition contributed to a new distinctly latin or Tex-Mex culture, linked by a common love for food, drink, dancing and accordions.

You may have noticed the similarity between a German and Mexican beer. Can you tell which is which with a blindfold? Moreover, how did the Tuba, with its brassy thud, find its’ way into the tejano and banda music? Can you describe the difference in sound compared to German polka if there is no singing? The answer to this question lies in the history or Texas.

King Ludwig, Munich - founded Octoberfest in 1810

Texans of German descent trace back to the mid-19th century when they made up about five percent of the population. The immigrants to Texas during the 1830s to 1900 were a diverse group, including peasants, artisans, academics, professionals, political refugees, and even noblemen. This stemmed from an ideal that emigration was a solution to the challenges they faced in their homeland. These settlements, formed what became known as the "German Belt." German Texans maintained their customs, language, and community cohesion, particularly in rural areas, while also diversifying into various occupations across the state. Additionally, the establishment of "Latin Settlements" by educated Germans, focused on idealistic communal efforts in farming.

Areas where you may hear German still spoken

Over time, German immigration slowed, especially after the world wars, and the use of spoken German declined due to prejudice and assimilation. However, German influence in Texas remained evident in aspects like food, family customs, architecture, and remnants of the language, especially in the Hill Country (Austin) area. Some of these areas still speak an antiquated German language to this day. German settlers in Texas in the 1830s brought their musical styles, like polka, comprised of tuba, clarinet, trumpet, guitar, drums and accordian, which merged with Mexican dance and song. Over time, norteño evolved, blending with American styles like rock and roll to create tejano, conjunto, Tex-Mex, quebradita, banda, and ranchera music. This fusion influenced other Mexican music genres and even mainstream music, with artists like Selena gaining fame.

David Lee Garza (b. Feb 15, 1957)

Grammy winning accordionist and leader of the band, Los Musicales often called "The Godfather." is from a small town near San Antonio.

German cultural influence in Texas peaked in the late 19th century, but assimilation, anti-German sentiment during World Wars, and modernization led to a decline in German language and customs, especially in urban areas. Rural German communities experienced depopulation and cultural erosion, while urban German neighborhoods saw a decline in their German-American population and institutions like German-language schools and press. However, the shrinking population did not erase beer recipes and accordions for the growing Latino population to regenerate into a new cultural traditions.

In a hilarious nod to pop culture, and perhaps accidental confluence of the German-Mexican musical cousin relationship, is the Heisenberg song from the popular series Breaking Bad. The character, Walter White (Bryan Cranston), adopts the name Heisenberg after the German physicist Werner Heisenberg in order to hide his identity while engaging in criminal activity. A narcocorrido song (drug ballad) opens episode 7 of season 2, telling the story of Heisenberg disrespecting a Mexican drug cartel. The uptempo waltz juxtaposed with the dark subject matter makes for a dark comedic treat.

Negro y Azul “The Ballad of Heisenberg

Now New Mexico's name
Finally suits it well.
It looks like México
In all the drugs it's hiding,
Except there's a gringo boss
And he's known as "Heisenberg"

While it may not be wise to put a lime in a German pilsner or show up to a quinceañera in lederhosen, one does have to marvel at the way, seemingly disparate cultures, can influence each other over generations. The tuba is now one of the most popular instruments in the banda music scene as noted by NPR “The Tuba Takes its Spotlight in Mexican Bandas”. Modern tuba playing has evolved from simple supporting bass role to a lead instrument taking melodic, rhythmic, and dance inspiring solos. This trend put’s an end to the old joke “What do you call a successful tuba player? A guy whose wife has two jobs”. The tuba player in a banda group is now an indispensable band leader.

Au Wiedersehen y hasta luego