ABOUT THE BAND

Los Rebeldes is a Conjunto band rooted in family and tradition, bringing the heart of Tex-Mex and Mexican folk music to audiences across the Midwest for more than four decades. Formed in the early 1980s, the group began with the musical passion of the Cardona family. Raul Sr., along with his sons Raul Jr., Rene, and Luis, started performing together in the 1970s, crafting a sound deeply influenced by traditional Mexican folk styles. Around 1983, the band officially took shape when Raul Sr.’s brother-in-law, Jesús “Chuy” Vélez, joined as a lead member, with close friend José Madrigal on guitar rounding out the ensemble. Jesús retired in 1990, and Raul Sr. continued to play accordion well into his seventies, performing live with Los Rebeldes until his final years.

Over the years, Los Rebeldes has featured several members of the Cardona family, each contributing their own talents to the group’s evolving sound. The band blends traditional Mexican folk with contemporary Tex-Mex influences, incorporating elements of rock, country, folk, and blues. This fusion creates a distinctive style where the accordion, trumpet, and guitar take center stage, honoring their roots while connecting with modern audiences.

Today, Los Rebeldes continues to keep Tex-Mex and Conjunto traditions alive in the upper Midwest, blending northern roots with southern soul and sharing the vibrant musical heritage of south of the border. The group has performed on hundreds of stages, entertaining audiences and keeping them dancing wherever they go.