Folk Arts - Master Artist - Cruz Rangel

Cruz Rangel was one of the first teachers in the WSAC Apprenticeship program. His instruction of Ricky Rodriguez led to the creation of the Conjunto Sueno, a successful group which toured the Northwest for many years starting in 1994. Cruz Rangel’s credentials as an accordion player reach back to Mission, Texas where as a young player in the 1960s he received regional attention. Influenced by accordion greats like Flaco Jimenez, Steve Jordan, and Paulino Berna, Cruz brought his skills to Washington when his family moved here in the mid-1960s. Rangel's dedication to Conjunto Sueno and its Tejano music sparked the interest of his daughter Cynthia.

As a recipient of a 1999 Apprenticeship grant, Rangel taught his daughter, Cynthia Rangel, Tex-M ex accordion and keyboard accompaniment. Rangel’s teachings focused on such dance music styles as Redovas, polkas, huapangos, shotis, cumbias, boleras, dancones, paso dobles, merekentenges, and valses.

As a recipient of a 1992 Apprenticeship grant, Rangel taught Ricky Rodriguez to play the accordion and bajo sexto. Ricky's dedication to these instruments and conjunto music attracted the attention of four of his friends (aged 15-17) who joined Cruz and Ricky to form Conjunto Sueno.

Conjunto Sueno played at local schools and community holiday events around Moses Lake, WA. The group was featured at Side-By-Side, a statewide conference of arts administrators sponsored by (NLAAWS) the Network of Local Arts Agencies of Washington State. Conjunto Sueno was a featured group at this year's First Night in Tacoma and were headline performers at the 1995 Governor's Arts and Heritage Award ceremonies in Olympia, WA.