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Frontera progress and press conference

Los Tigres del Norte, the UCLA Chicano Research Center, the UCLA Digital Music Library and the Arhoolie Foundation are holding a press conference on March 26th at 10 AM. This event, to be held on the UCLA campus, celebrates the completion of digitizing part I (over 32,000 recordings from 78 rpm discs) of the Frontera Collection of Mexican and Mexican-American commercial recordings dating roughly from 1908 – 1958 (or the end of 78s). The Frontera Collection and UCLA’s Frontera website was mentioned in Billboard Magazine’s on-line business column.


Statement on the passing of Chris Strachwitz

Arhoolie Records Founder
July 1, 1931 – May 5, 2023

We celebrate the life of our founder, friend, and great record man Chris Strachwitz. He died peacefully at home in Marin County, CA, surrounded in his last days by dear friends and family. Over his 91 years, Chris captured the music that represents the best “down home music” the world has to offer.

He was at the forefront of nearly all the roots revivals over the last 60 years including blues, zydeco, Cajun, Norteño and Tejano music. His drive to document traditional music helped introduce the nation to our diverse musical heritage. He had the foresight to save music that might have otherwise been lost to obscurity and played a role in strengthening cultural traditions through his records, films, and most recently the Arhoolie Foundation. He cared for those around him, fought for royalties and recognition for Arhoolie artists, and provided counsel to countless musicians, writers, film makers, and academics.

Plans for a public celebration of his life will be announced in the coming weeks. Today we’re thinking of all that Chris brought to our lives and the lives of the musicians and fans with whom he shared his passion.