About Me
I made this music player at MyFlashFetish .com.
ISRAEL VARELA
Drummer/Composer/Singer/Band Leader. Born in Tijuana, Mexico. June 26th, 1979. Disciple of two icons of the modern drumming: Alex Acuna & Dave Weckl.
His unique drumming, singing and compositional styles are truthfully represented in his music. Music situated at the crossroads of a horde of influences: Flamenco, Jazz and Mexican roots. Fresh, and elegant melodies, full of sophisticated rhythmical sounds, Jazz colors, Mexican Huapango textures and explosive Flamenco rhythms.
Israel has performed or recorded around the world with some of the finest Jazz, Pop and Flamenco Artists such as: ABE LABORIEL, MONTSE CORTES, ALFREDO PAIXAO, HIRAM BULLOCK, PINO DANIELE, GIOVANNI HIDALGO, ALEX ACUNA, OTMARO RUIZ, LUDOVICO VAGNONE, ANDREA BOCELLI, DIEGO AMADOR, BOB MINTZER, CARLES BENAVENT, JOHN PENA, to name a few.
From a musicians family, started his musical studies at an early age, playing piano and singing at the age of four. After a few years he starded to play drums taking lessons from Gonzalo Farrugia & after six months he enroll to the Baja California Conservatory, studying drums under Andrei Tchernishev. Ear Training, Solfegge and Harmony under Tatiana Diorditsa, and contemporary composition and analysis under Enrique Gonzalez. At the age of 14 he was already one of the most in demand drummers in Tijuana playing and recording with the best local Jazz bands, classical orchestras and with his father's band.
A major turning point in his life happened in 1995 when he met the great Alex Acuna. At the age of 15 he was studying privately in Los Angeles Ca. under ALEX ACUNA from (1995 until 1998), and later under DAVE WECKL, in North Hollywood, (from 1998-2000)(also privately).
On 2001 he moved to Milan(where he studied classical music, and orchestral percussion under Maurizio Ben Omar at the famous Giuseppe Verdi's Conservatory, winning the only percussion place that the conservatory offered that year).
On 2003 he moved to Seville, where he developed his flamenco drumming, playing and learning from Luis Amador and Diego Amador, and all the "AMADOR" family at "las Tres mil viviendas" area. a well known gipsy village.
Nowadays frequently touring with his multi-cultural band Israel Varela "Trio"(presenting his new record Tijuana Portrait on sale at Virgin Music, Amazon Itunes, Fnac Music, etc), with Diego Amador Trio, and also doing drum clinics around Europe for Bosphorus Cymbals, Drum Art Snares.
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Awards:.
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1st Place Winner at the International Drummer Competition, B.California(2001).
Two consecutive times winner of the (FOECA)"Young Music Creators"(1999-2000).
Winner of the "Instrumentalist" (FONCA)National Foundation for Arts and Culture.Mexico City(2001)..
Nominated for the National Youth Prize(Mexico)(2003).
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Current Bands as a Leader or Sideman:
Israel Varela "Trio"
Israel Varela "Andalusian Project".
Diego Amador "Trio".
Rolli's Tones Big Band.
Paola Repele Trio.
Rene Toledo Quartet
"Tijuana Portrait". All songs composed, arranged and produced by Israel Varela, *except tracks 8(by J. Coltrane) & 9(by Ivan Lins, lyrics by I.Varela).
Recorded & Mixed at Cavo Studio, Azzano, Italy by Paolo Filippi & Teo Marchese.
Mastered at Avatar Studios, New York. by Fred Kevorkian.
Personell:
Israel Varela, Drums(all tracks), Lead Vocals, & keys on track 4.
Alba Heredia, )
Alfredo Paixao
Otmaro Ruiz
John Pena
Paola Repele
Miguel Vargas
Robert Mehmet Ikiz
Amhet Teklibek
Angelo Trabucco
Maurizio Rolli
Luis Amador
Diego Amador
