Tejano Legends and Rising Stars Unite for 'Sonidos de San Antonio 2026' Celebration

Landmark concert at the historic Empire Theatre supports the next generation of Tejano music through UTSA's Sonido Tejano initiative.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:03pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged shapes and silhouettes in high-contrast colors, conceptually representing the blending of Tejano music's legacy and future.A star-studded celebration of Tejano's past, present, and future unites iconic artists with rising talent to support the next generation of the genre.San Antonio Today

A powerful night honoring the past, present, and future of Tejano music is set to take center stage this spring in San Antonio. 'Sonidos de San Antonio 2026,' presented by the University of Texas at San Antonio in partnership with Shellshock Records 3 and JMT Studios, will bring together an all-star lineup of Tejano and Conjunto legends for a one-of-a-kind cultural celebration on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the historic Empire Theatre. Serving as lead producer, musical director, and host, Tejano icon Shelly Lares is at the heart of the ambitious production, which blends legendary talent with the next generation of musicians through UTSA's groundbreaking Sonido Tejano initiative.

Why it matters

The concert carries a deeper purpose: investing in the future of Tejano music. Proceeds from the event will fund scholarships for UTSA students as part of the university's Tejano Ensemble and Mariachi programs, ensuring the genre continues to thrive through education and performance. The event also aims to become an annual tradition tied to San Antonio's Fiesta season, celebrating the city's deep cultural roots while spotlighting its musical future.

The details

Headlining the evening is a who's who of Tejano and Conjunto royalty, including Little Joe, Ruben Ramos, Santiago Jiménez Jr., Ram Herrera, Patsy Torres, and Sunny Sauceda—artists whose careers helped define the sound of South Texas and beyond. The night will also feature Mariachi Los Paisanos, directed by Michael Acevedo, adding another layer of rich musical tradition to the program. The inaugural class of UTSA's Sonido Tejano ensemble, now officially part of the university's curriculum, will take on the unique role of backing the legendary performers on stage.

  • The 'Sonidos de San Antonio 2026' concert will take place on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
  • The event aims to become an annual tradition tied to San Antonio's Fiesta season.

The players

Shelly Lares

A Tejano icon who is serving as the lead producer, musical director, and host of the 'Sonidos de San Antonio 2026' concert. She is also UTSA's artist-in-residence and the driving force behind the university's Sonido Tejano initiative.

Little Joe

A legendary Tejano and Conjunto performer who will be headlining the 'Sonidos de San Antonio 2026' concert.

University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)

The university presenting the 'Sonidos de San Antonio 2026' concert in partnership with Shellshock Records 3 and JMT Studios. UTSA is also home to the Sonido Tejano initiative, which is funding scholarships for students in the Tejano Ensemble and Mariachi programs.

Mariachi Los Paisanos

The mariachi group that will be performing at the 'Sonidos de San Antonio 2026' concert, directed by Michael Acevedo.

Michael Acevedo

The director of Mariachi Los Paisanos, who will be leading the mariachi group's performance at the 'Sonidos de San Antonio 2026' concert.

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What they’re saying

“When I first came on, I said, 'I really want to do something for Tejano.' We wanted to create a full Tejano ensemble—something that represents everything from accordion-driven conjunto to orchestral and progressive styles. This is the beginning of hopefully many programs to come.”

— Shelly Lares, Tejano icon and UTSA artist-in-residence

“The inaugural class has been such a huge success. I have 14 students, and it's incredible to see how gifted they are and how much they want to learn the style of Tejano.”

— Shelly Lares, Tejano icon and UTSA artist-in-residence

“My students are actually going to back these artists up—they're playing the music, and these icons are going to come sing with them. It's a family thing.”

— Shelly Lares, Tejano icon and UTSA artist-in-residence

What’s next

The 'Sonidos de San Antonio 2026' concert is set to become an annual tradition tied to San Antonio's Fiesta season, with plans to continue growing the event and supporting the next generation of Tejano musicians through UTSA's Sonido Tejano initiative.

The takeaway

The 'Sonidos de San Antonio 2026' concert is a powerful celebration of Tejano music's past, present, and future, blending legendary talent with the next generation of musicians. By investing in education and performance through UTSA's Sonido Tejano program, the event aims to ensure the genre's cultural legacy continues to thrive for years to come.