conjunto

American  

[kuhn-hoon-toh, kawn-hoon-taw] / kənˈhʊn toʊ, kɔnˈhun tɔ /

noun

plural

conjuntos

1. (in Latin America or Hispanic communities) a dance band comprised of an accordion, a twelve-string bass guitar, a double bass, and drums.

2. this style of popular dance music, based on polka, waltz, and bolero rhythms.

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Etymology

Origin of conjunto

First recorded in 1995–2000; from Spanish: literally, “ensemble”; see origin at conjunct ( def. ), junta

Explanation

Conjunto is Latin American dance music that blends German and Mexican sounds. It’s popular in Hispanic communities, in Texas, and wherever world music is played. Look conjunto up on your streaming service and add some to your playlist! The word conjunto is borrowed from Spanish, where it means "ensemble," another word for a musical group. How did the strands of Mexican and German music come together? In the late 1800s, Mexico received many German immigrants, who brought their accordions, songs, and dances with them. As the Germans got involved in Mexican culture, their music and dances — such as polkas and waltzes — had an influence on some of the music around them. And conjunto was born!

Example Sentences

It formed as an eight-piece Cuban conjunto, which ditched the traditional jazzy saxophone.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2025

Tejano and conjunto music legend Flaco Jiménez has died at age 86.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2025

Ballesteros, who is originally from Sonora, Mexico, first gained recognition in 2020 with his breakthrough conjunto song “El Rompecabezas.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2025

“Pero con la amplitud de sus aplicaciones y el poder de la tecnología, también viene un conjunto muy amplio de riesgos”.

From New York Times • Aug. 23, 2023

Perched on the steps, an old-fashioned radio played conjunto music, and on the shaded porch, sitting in a rocking chair, a skinny old man gazed at the horizon.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan