Daniel J. Schaefer Slides of Conjunto Accordionists, 1986-1990

Photographer Daniel J. Schaefer writes,"The 26 photographs that make up the exhibit, "Yo Soy De Aqui" are representative of the photographs that I have made of conjunto accordianists over the past five years.

"There are two criteria that distinguish the body of work. One is the geographic area in which I worked. The other is the photographic style I used.

"I included in the collection only accordianists who ferform mainly in Austin and the Central Texas area. Stylistically, I used an 85mm lens with a center spot filter and a #1 diffusion filter and a hand held flash.

"I was not lead to either of these criteria by a preconceived idea. Rather, I was trying to please the musicians, club owners, and patrons. As time passed I started to have a fairly comprehensive collection. Eventually I deceided to shoot as many accordianists as I could and do an exhibit.

"Needless to say, I don't have everyone. Some accordianists, like Sonny Trujillo or Jesse Duran, have proven too elusive. Also, there are new accordianists showing up all the time. I do plan to keep on shooting but I want to do other things, too. Specifically, I want to do videos that would include performance and interview. There are some great stories out there. Here is one to whet your appetite:

"When Marcello Gauna was a child his family was involved ina seriosus automobile accident. Marcello and his three brothers (who are all active conjunto musicians at this point) were seriously injured. Marcello worst of all. He was put in a body cast from his chest down, witha figure eight cut out so he could use a bed pan. What makes this episode significant is that up until this point Marcello's father had discouraged him from playing the accordian, not because he did not love or trust Marcello, but because Marcello was the youngest and they were afraid he would damage the accordian. While Marcello was convalescing his father brought him the accordinan and propped it up on his chest. Marcello played, stretched out flat on his back, stiff as a board. To facilitate practice on ht e bajo sexto they rolled Marcello over onto his stomach and shoved him to the edge ofthe bed in such a manner that he could reach the floor with his hands. Marchello played. And he has continued to play. You should hear him now!"

----6/12/1990