Texas conjunto music pioneer Flaco Jimenez, 86, died while surrounded by his family at one of his son's homes on Thursday night, his family announced.

Flaco Jimenez, the legendary accordionist from San Antonio who won multiple Grammys and helped expand the popularity of conjunto, Tejano and Tex-Mex music, died Thursday. He was 86.

Born into a family of conjunto pioneers, Flaco Jimenez took his Hohner three-row button accordion from San Antonio to the stages of the world, becoming the music’s greatest ambassador. Jimenez died Thursday evening at one of his son’s homes following a long illness. He was 86.