Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán

Biography

Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán is a Mariachi group that was founded in Tecalitlán, Jalisco, Mexico by Gaspar Vargas in 1898. In 1928, his son, Silvestre Vargas, took over control of the group. Over time, the group has recorded albums, starred in over 200 movies, and performed all over the world. They have collaborated with many artists, among them Linda Ronstadt. The group is based in Mexico City. They are known as "El Mejor Mariachi Del Mundo" or in English, "The Best Mariachi In The World." They left a great influence on Mariachi style itself. They helped by learning and playing more of a classical style. This was started by Ruben Fuentes, a classical violinist who joined the group, in 1944. He was asked to help improve their presentation, sound, and understanding of music.

To this day (like most Mariachi groups) the group members dress in the traditional charro suits customary in the nineteenth century and sometimes perform dances accompanied by ballet folklórico performers.

Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.