Mariachi Vargas

El Mariachi Vargas se fundó en 1898, en el pueblo de Tecalitlán, al sur del estado de Jalisco. Los pilares del grupo fueron el líder Gaspar Vargas y Manuel Mendoza, acompañados por dos violines. En diciembre de 1934, viajaron a la capital de México para presentarse en la ceremonia de toma de posesión de el presidente Lázaro Cárdenas, quien posteriormente recomendó que fueran contratados por la Jefatura de Policía de la Ciudad de México, como Mariachi oficial. En 1937, el Mariachi Vargas apareció en "Así es mi Tierra", la primera de sus casi doscientas películas. Ese mismo año grabaron sus primeros discos fonográficos. A éste siguieron álbumes monumentales de pasodobles, valses, bailables, polkas, danzones y semiclásicas -cada uno redefiniendo el estado del arte de la música de mariachi. La muerte en 1973 del más grande canta-autor de la música ranchera, José Alfredo Jiménez, marcóel fin de una era; sin embargo la música de mariachi siguió evolucionando, con el Mariachi Vargas al frente. A mediados de los setenta, el Vargas acompañó al cantante y compositor Juan Gabriel en sus primeras grabaciones, introduciendo una nueva y significativa forma de expresión en la música de mariachi. en 1976, Pepe Martínez asumió la dirección musical del Mariachi Vargas, un puesto que conserva hasta hoy día. Con el Vargas, Martínez transformo muchos de los primeros arreglos que había grabado con otros mariachis en verdaderas obras maestras como "Popurrí de los Gallos" y "El Cascabel". Inspirándose en su propia versión de "El Cascabel", Martínez extendió aún más las fronteras de la música del mariachi con "Violín Huapango", un muestrario de ritmos y efectos novedosos que destaca a cada músico del grupo como solista. La primera Conferencia Internacional del Mariachi que se llevó a cabo en San Antonio, Texas -con la actuación estelar de Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán- dio luz a un movimiento que nadie se imaginaba tendría tanto éxito. Desde entonces los festivales y conferencias de mariachi van en aumento en E.U., con el Vargas siempre como su más prestigiosa estrella. Ahora que el Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán inicia la celebración de su centenario, aún no hay grupo que pueda retar su fama. Al acercarnos al siglo XXI, esperamos otros cien años más de "El Mejor Mariachi del Mundo". 1st Generation 1897-1930 To the south of Jalisco, in a small city called Tecalitlan the Mariachi Vargas was born. Founded by Don Gaspar Vargas in l897, and whose formation during those years was given by the: guitarra de golpe (or mariachera) played precisely by Don Gaspar, wooden harp by Manuel Mendoza, and two violins played by Lino Quintero and Refugio Hernandez. With these instruments was established the "Sonido Tecalitlan" which distinguished from the sound "Cocula".The Mariachi from Cocula utilized the guitarron and the vihuela in place of the harp and the guitarra de golpe, besides the two violins. By the year 1913, Don Gaspar included one trumpet in the group but it was not well accepted, and in later performances its high-pitched sound was considered annoying. The cornet was replaced by another violin. The group consisted then of five elements. Silvestre Vargas, son of Don Gaspar Vargas joined as a violinist in 19212nd Generation 1931-1949 Gaspar Vargas turned the leadership of Mariachi Vargas over to his son, Silvestre, and as the first step in his reorganization decided to enlarge the group to eight musicians. He invited his compatriots the Quintero brothers, Rafael and Jeronimo, one with a violin and the other with a guitar. Later he added another violin, Santiago Torres, and sent Trinidad Olvera of the violin to the guitarron, though preserving the wooden harp. It was Silvestre who possessed a dream that his group would one day be the greatest in all Mexico and he was relentless in his pursuit of fulfilling that dream. The Mariachi Vargas was something of an oddity in the early 1930's — the members were all dressed in charro suits, they showed up on time for performances, and they were sober.In 1933 they won first place in a Mariachi contest celebrated in Guadalajara. Then again, in Mexico City, in 1934 they were awarded another first place prize. President Lazaro Cardenas, who enjoyed the music of "Vargas", subsequently had the group hired as the official mariachi of the Mexico City Police Department and the group moved to Mexico City where they remained for 20 years. They provided music and entertainment for the town at the parks and gardens of the capitol.Beginning in 1937, the Mariachi Vargas appeared in "Asi es mi Tierra," the first of its more than 200 motion pictures. That same year they recorded their first record and signed an exclusive contract with RCA. In 1941 they definitely integrated the trumpet as part of the group. Miguel Martinez was the first trumpet player from Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan and since this date he's been considered the creator of the style and the best performer of his instrument. He was to everybody a teacher and an example.In 1944, Ruben Fuentes, a classical violinist with no background in mariachi music, was asked by Silvestre to join the group, first as a violinist, then later as a music adjuster. Silvestre and Ruben, with a common agreement, decided to reorganize and bring the group back to life, changing their image and sound; demanding better presentation, understanding of the beat, and preparing to overcome the unruly concept that the "mariachis" had to the whole public in those days.3rd Generation 1950-1993 Ruben Fuentes took charge of the group's musical direction, and changed the revolution as far as the sound that for many years had conserved much primitive and unstudied. The rules got broken and the sound of the Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan was brought to life without the abandonment of roots and tradition.The Huapangos and Sones (which were two very distinctive styles of the mariachi music) were stopped from being interpreted in diverse and different ways. The Mariachi Vargas recorded the Sones with arrangements and adaptations by Ruben Fuentes. This provisions managed that all groups be unified to those versions taking them as an example.The traditional songs and the original sound of the mariachi began to change in the 1950's. It was during the recordings of the "Golden Age of the Huapangos" that the compositions, arrangements and musical direction of Ruben Fuentes, and the unequaled voice of Miguel Aceves Mejia initiated a musical revolution that would forever change the sound and instrumentation of the mariachi. In 1955 Ruben Fuentes stopped performing in the group; however, to date he maintains his position as: producer, musical arranger and musical director, assisted during this first age by Jesus Rodriguez de Hijar and under both the administration and leadership of Silvestre Vargas.In 1966 Ruben Fuentes wrote "La Bakina," a song that was recognized as the epitome of this Revolutionary New Harmony and sound of the mariachi. He continues to this day writing and producing for Mariachi Vargas music that takes you on an emotional roller coaster going from the height of happiness to the despair of a broken heart or lost love. As much in Mexico as well as in foreign countries the Sones and Huapangos acquire new directions, the harmonious sound and melody consisted of new levels. These levels create from the Mexican music an expression of nationalism, young, modern, and progressive.In 1975, Jose "Pepe" Martinez, Sr. became the musical director of Mariachi Vargas. He wrote many arrangements including "Violin Huapango" which individually showcase the different instruments and members in the group. In the 1970's interest in mariachi music was waning. But all that changed when San Antonio, Texas held its first international mariachi conference. A new movement began to grow and with that revival many other conferences began to develop. Each conference wanted to have the Mariachi Vargas as its headline performer.In 1983, the Mariachi Vargas appeared for the first time at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference. In 1986, Linda Ronstad appeared with the Mariachi Vargas at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference and sang in Spanish for the first time. In 1987 she released her "Canciones de mi Padre" album featuring Mariachi Vargas which won her a Grammy award for the album. She also went on a national tour with the group, giving greater exposure to mariachi music than ever before. In 1989, the Mariachi Vargas released their "En Concierto" CD featuring some of the greatest renderings of classical music ever played by a mariachi. The group also accompanied Lucero in the 1990's as she rose in the ranks of contemporary musical stardom.The Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan initiated a series of solo recordings: Sones, Valses, Pasos Dobles, Bailes Regionales, Polkas, Clasico e International, etc.; adding more than 50 recordings interpreted by "The Best Mariachi in the World," a characteristic name and title who Ruben Fuentes himself, as Artistic Director of RCA, came up for them and gave a positive name worldwide.4th Generation 1994-2002 It is known by all mariachi lovers that this generation was the most talented group of musicians performing since 100 years of their foundation. Talented as much in musical as in appearance, this successful presence was accomplished with continuous work. Playing for Mexico as well as the foreign, performing a great experience and overcoming the audience. Mexico as well as other countries were witnesses to their triumphant presence that they have obtained with their continuous hard work. And has proportioned an overcoming experience that allows us the privilege to say without the slightest modesty "The World's Greatest Mariachi"...is better then ever.In their album "La fiesta del Mariachi", Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, fourth generation, the group integrates to make a tribute to Jose "Pepe" Martinez, who besides his magnificent musical arrangements and direction of the group, inspired many as a composer.Their recordings on Polygram with this generation include are, "El Mariachi Vargas", "En Concierto", "Los sones Reyes", "La fiesta del Mariachi" and "50 anniversary of Ruben Fuentes". Ruben Fuentes's arrangements and music with the Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan are the first five recordings for the one-hundredth anniversary of the foundation of "Vargas" in 1997. The purpose of this series of albums is to release a true anthology of the Mexican folklore music, the "Mariachi", the music that makes us remember our roots, and feel proud of our nationality in and out of our country.5th Generation 2003-Present In 2003 Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan is in its fifth generation and with their activity and antiquity in their group both musically and as performers we can affirm that this generation is the best prepared. Their latest recordings on are, "5ta Generacion", "Sinfonico I", "Sinfonico II", and "Penas, Desengaños... Y Amores".Today the group is composed of two harps, one vihuela, one guitar, one guitarron, two trumpets and six violins. With the added instruments, a new sound has emerged that crosses all international borders. The music they play now ranges from the traditional sones to classical works as well as potpourris that continue to delight audiences everywhere.In the 100 years since its foundation, the group has gone through some major changes. While there was some departure from the tradition during that time, the group has maintained its roots through the playing of traditional Mexican sones.In 1997, "Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan" celebrated its first One Hundred years of foundation. "The Best Mariachi in the World" is now one hundred years old showing to the world our feelings with their musical art leaving the immortal evidence about it.I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4 I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4 I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4