Frank and Ventura Alonzo were a popular band/orchestra formed in
the late 1930's. The community would hire them for dances and
they played boleros, cumbias, waltzes, mambos, and rancheras.
Their popularity
spread to many areas in Texas and they played in Forth Worth,
Austin, Kingsville, and about forty locations
in between. In Houston, Alonzo Y Sus Rancheros played at The
American Legion Hall, The Union Hall, The Acapulco, El Tropical,
The Log Cabin, Salon Juarez, The Palladium, The Blossom Heath and
the Azteca
Theatre. In 1956, they opened La Terraza, a ballroom located at
1515 McCarty Drive. Frank and Ventura
Alonzo retired in 1969. After retirement she worked at the Ripley
House teaching crafts and playing the
piano and Mr. Alonzo played for the senior citizens of the Denver
Harbor community every Friday at the Centro Alegre. Mrs. Alonzo
represented one of the first lady big band musicians in the state
of Texas. A mural was dedicated in her honor on August 14, 1996 at Firestone Tire
located 1601 Harrisburg at Macario Garcia Dr. Their music
enriched our lives and left us with many memories.
The Tejano Association for Historical Preservation salutes these Early Pioneers of Tejano Music.