Bassist Marcos Varela is one of the young bright lights on the NYC jazz scene. A native of Houston, he attended that city's renowned High School for the Performing & Visual Arts, where his fellow alumni include Jason Moran, Robert Glasper, Eric Harland, Chris Dave, and Beyonce.
Varela arrived in NYC to continue his studies at the New School, leading to performance opportunities with a wide range of artists including George Cables, Billy Hart, Clifton Anderson, Jason Moran, Geri Allen, The Last Poets, the Mingus Big Band, Kendrick Scott, Billy Harper, and Tyshawn Sorey, among countless others. He has also composed music for several film and TV projects, including director Domenica Cameron-Scorsese's film,
Roots in Water. Varela has performed at major jazz festivals in Monterey, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Italy Slovenia, and New York City, as well as at jazz clubs like Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, the Jazz Standard, Birdland, The Blue Note, and many more.
Marcos Varela's striking debut recording,
San Ygnacio (Origin Records), traces his roots back to the historic Texas town where his family has lived and worked on the same ranch since the 18th century. The powerfully compelling recording features Varela with veterans George Cables, Billy Hart, and Clifton Anderson alongside a crew of exceptional younger players.