conjunto

/kənˈhʊntoʊ/

Other forms: conjuntos

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!

Definitions of conjunto

1. noun

   a style of Latin American dance music blending German elements, such as polka and waltz rhythms, with traditional Mexican elements
2. noun

   a band that plays a style of Latin American dance music blending German and Mexican elements, usually including an accordion and traditional Mexican instruments such as trumpets, drums, and a twelve-string guitar