Steve Jordan Left His Fans a Spiritual Letter

Photo and story by Ramón Hernández

"Carta Espiritual was Steve Jordan’s musical goodbye letter since it was his most recent production before he died on Friday the 13^th in his S. San Joaquin Street home in Southside San Antonio. He was 71.

"I helped him cross to the other side," said Azeneth Dominguez, who had been by his side for 27 years, said. And it was she, Juanita Castillo and a hospice nurse, who were at Jordan’s bedside when he exhaled his last breath at 11 p.m. as two of his daughters, Anita and Mary Ann, read Scriptures.

"He died with a beautiful smile on his face," Anita recalled.

"My dad would often say, ‘I already played for the world, now I want to play for the Man upstairs,’ " said Mary Ann, who is a Christian singer.

In December 2005, the squeezebox wizard was diagnosed with liver cancer, but Jordan was a fighter and he lived three years passed what doctors expected. But the late frail weak-boned Jordan was a fighter because he didn’t want to go. However, he did realize he was moral, had previously given his life to our Lord and Savior and a priest gave him the last rites Thursday at 1 p.m.

The music genius had committed to a performance in Chicago and he never failed to show up for a gig, so once he was aware of his imminent death, he said his last goodbye to Richard and Steve III and send them off to fulfill his contract with Nicholas Galvan, drum; and their cousin Robert Perez, filling in for Jordan on accordion.

"It was a hard thing to do, but it was something we had to do," Steve III said.

"That was my dad’s philosophy and he wouldn’t have it any other way."

I initially received the news of his condition from Larry Lange, of the Lonely Knights, on Thursday afternoon and called several people to ask for their prayers. However, his family asked I not release any information until his passing and I honored their request.

As to his musical legacy, what more can you say about the accordion master that hasn’t been said before in numerous newspapers and magazines, including some in Japan and Europe plus a gazillion websites.

TESTIMONIALS FROM OTHER ARTISTS

Sabio and sabiduria are among the first Spanish words that peers use to describe the man with the musical Midas Touch. Sabiduria translates to knowledge and wisdom gained from learning and experience.

As for testimonies, Salvador "El Pavo" García said, "Esteban Jordan era un sabio. I have to give credit where it’s due and Esteban dominated the accordion more highly than anyone else because of his love for the art. He was a musical inventor."

Sabio translates to sapient, wise, all-knowing and skillful. A few months ago, I asked Flaco Jiménez for his take on Jordan and he said, "His style is nothing like mine and my style is nothing like his.

"Steve plays a lot of jazz and rock’n’roll, which I can do, but his style is more progressive and precise because he knows where he’s going when I am more spontaneous. And I admire his sabiduria. The difference between him and me in spite of my knowledge of jazz and rock and roll is that I am more rancheron (rural) and he is more urban.

"Many can imitate him, but few can compare because what they are lacking is originality," Jiménez added.

"Steve Jordan was ahead of his time; and when he was progressive in an era of straight forward tradition conjunto, people just couldn’t understand him," explained Héctor Ríos, executive producer of "Las Dos Amigas" on Telemundo.

Accordionist Joél Guzmán and Bravo Combo, among others, say Jordan was a musical genius and Sunny Sauceda often raved about Jordan’s technical knowledge, which allowed him to take his music to a higher level. Jordan also influenced Albert Zamora; and the latter two have both recorded some of Jordan’s tunes.

STEVE JORDAN 101

While many state that his music stands alone and he was his own genre, Jordan’s first love was jazz. As a result, he performed at the Monterrey and Berlin Jazz festivals.

Rock and roll also had a special place in his heart and he was so good at improvising on the spot, he performed alongside Carlos Santana and the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia plus Poncho Sánchez – all on stage at the same time. This video can be seen on www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhX9DJIZ1NU and they really get down in an impromptu 1970s jam session. Once you get there, one will see choices for more Jordan videos.

For readers not acquainted with Jordan, for starters, this writer recommends they listen to his recordings of "Stone Soul Pinic," "Nunca Iras Al Cielo," "Kranke," "Midnight Blues," which sounds both French and jazzy; "El Rancho Grande" and "La Bamba" as you’ve never heard them before and "Call Me" which cleverly guides into "La Cucaracha."

Then there’s "Jhonny El Pachuco," a tune all homies will dig; "Squeeze Box Man," "I Woke Up This Morning," "Turn On Your Love Light" and "Run For Your Life" and you will see how this tune influenced Question Mark and the Mysterians.

The musical genius also appeared in two movies – "True Stories" and "Born in East L.A" -- and the way he modified his accordion resulted in the creation of the Steve Jordan Tex-Mex Rockordion, which was manufactured and sold by Hohner.

To be called "the best accordionist" by other accordionists is the highest of accolades and Jordan earned it. As a result, he was inducted into virtually every Tejano music and conjunto hall of fame and last year, he was selected for induction into the Premios a La Música Latina Hall of Fame. However, for reasons unknown, the revolutionary musician turned down the honor.

In addition, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum had a special Steve Jordan display as a part of its "Sabor Latino" exhibit which ran from February to May of this year.

This year, El Parche released "Carta Espiritual" on his own label. Other tunes on this production are "La Culebra," "La Mula," "La Pepita y El Chupon," "Adolfo’s Polka," "Hazme Caso," "Figaro, Figaro," "Ahora, Ahora" and "Loriana." This CD is available for sale at www.estebanjordan.com and www.myspace.com/estebanjordan.

THE PERSONAL SIDE OF A MUSICAL GENIUS

The world famous squeeze box man’s roots stemmed from his father Antonio, who – when not playing baseball -- played harmonia and guitar; and performed in ranchos around Brownsville and San Benito, Texas with his brother Jesús.

Steve named after Antonio and Silvestra’s firstborn, who died at birth, began honing his craft when he was seven. Their second child, Ramón, was also stillborn.

After the Elsa-native mastered a couple dozen musical instruments, he taught his sibling how to play an instrument so they too could lay down their bags and leave the fields as a part of his group. They were, in order of age Tony Jr., Tencha, Bonificio (Boni), Guadalupe (Lupe), Gloria, Ernesto (Neto), Jimmy (Santiago), Silver (Silvestre a.k.a. Chivas), Mary Ann (Mariana, Ramón II and Vicky, a little girl his parents adopted. All, with the exception of Gloria and Vicky sing or play one instrument or the other.

The rest of his story will cover one chapter of a forthcoming booth by this writer. Saluté International Bar, a cozy little hangout on the North St. Mary’s Street strip, lost its most famous performer, however Steve III and Richard will continue to carry on the torch.

Jordan is also survived by Steve II plus daughters, Mary Ann, Anita, Estela and Loriana.

The day following the hall of famer’s death, there was a festive atmosphere at Steve’s house where family, this writer, poets such as Neftali De León; and musicians gathered to celebrate his life because, as Anita said, "We should cry when a baby is born because he is entering a life of trials and tribulations while my father has gone to heaven and is at peace singing for our Lord 24/7."

For funeral and burial information call Castillo Mission Funeral Home at (210) 432-8586 or go to www.rivercityattractions.com. 

There are no words for this great loss in our industry. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy from everyone here at: River City Attractions and the entire Sandoval family.

Rosary and final sevices to be held Thursday 8/19/2010 @ 7:00 p.m.at San Martin de Porres Catholic Church 1730 Dahlgeen , San Antonio,Texas