A minimum mariachi group has 2 violins, 2 trumpets, 1 guitarrón, 1 guitar, and 1 vihuela. Complete mariachi groups have a minimum of 12 members with the standard 6 violins, 3 trumpets, 1 guitarrón, 1 guitar and 1 vihuela. A 13th member is often a harp, an extra violin, or an extra guitar. The Vargas de Tecalitlán currently has thirteen members, distributed as follows:
Violins: Manuel Alcaraz Vargas, Alberto Alfaro, José "Pepe" Martínez (Director), José Martínez Jr., Daniel Martínez, and Andres Gonzalez
Trumpets: Federico Torres (member since 1966), Gustavo Alvarado (since 1991), and Fernando Valasquez (since 2007)
Guitarrón: Enrique de Santiago (member of the group since 1989)
Guitar: Arturo Vargas (member of the group since 2003 and originating in Jalisco)
Vihuela: Gilberto aguirre (part of the group since 2011, being the newest member of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán)
Harp: Julio Martínez (member since 1996)
The history of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán is divided into five phases (or generations); the first generation from 1897 to 1930, the second from 1931 to 1949, the third from 1950 to 1993, the fourth from 1994 to 2002 and the fifth since 2003 to date.
1st generation (1897–1930)
The Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán was born in a small city called Tecalitlán, to the south of Jalisco. Founded in 1897 by Don Gaspar Vargas the formation during those years was provided by the guitarra de golpe (or mariachera) played precisely by Don Gaspar, the wooden harp by Manuel Mendoza, and two violins played by Lino Quintero and Refugio Hernandez. The combination of these instruments established the "Sonido Tecalitlán" which distinguished from the "Sonido Cocula". (The Mariachi from Cocula utilized the guitarron and the vihuela in place of the harp and the guitarra de golpe aside from the two violins). In 1913, Don Gaspar introduced one trumpet to 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. The son of Don Gaspar Vargas, Silvestre Vargas, joined as a violinist in 1921. From 1926 the group consisted of Gaspar Vargas - Guitarra de golpe, Manuel Mendoza - Harp, Silvestre Vargas, Trinidad Olivera and Nicolas Torres - Violins.
2nd generation (1931–1949)
In 1931 Gaspar Vargas turned the leadership of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán over to his son, Silvestre. As the first step in his reorganization Silvestre decided to enlarge the group to eight musicians. He invited his compatriots, the Quintero brothers, Rafael and Jeronimo to join. One played a violin and the other a guitar. Later he would add another violin played by Santiago Torres. He moved Trinidad Olivera from the violin to the guitarron, although still preserving the wooden harp. It was Silvestre who possessed a dream that his group would one day be the greatest mariachi 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 1930s; 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 Lázaro Cárdenas, 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 capital city at its parks and gardens. Beginning in 1937, the Mariachi Vargas appeared in "Asi es mi Tierra", the first of its more than 200 motion pictures. They played in many of Pedro Infante's movies as well. In that same year they recorded their first record and signed an exclusive contract with RCA.
In 1941 they definitively integrated the trumpet into the musical interpretations of the group. Miguel Martínez was the first trumpet player for Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. He is considered the creator of the mariachi-style trumpet and the best performer, teacher and example of the instrument. In 1944, Rubén Fuentes, a classical violinist with no background in mariachi music, was asked by Silvestre to join the group. He joined as a violinist and became music adjuster. Silvestre Vargas and Ruben Fuentas reorganized Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and changed their image and sound. They demanded a professional presentation to overcome the unruly concept that the term "mariachis" had to the general public in those days.
3rd Generation (1950–1993)
Fuentes took complete responsibility for the group's musical direction, and enriched the evolution that for many years had conserved the primitive and unstudied qualities of mariachi. The changing sound of the Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán was redirected without the abandonment of its roots or traditions. The Huapangos and Sones (which were two very distinctive styles of the mariachi music) were being interpreted in many diverse and different ways. The Mariachi Vargas recorded the Sones with arrangements and adaptations as patterns for other groups. This stratagem promoted the concept that all mariachi groups could be unified to those versions by taking them as examples. The traditional songs and the original sound of the mariachi began to mature in the 1950s. It was during the recordings of the "Golden Age of the Huapangos" that the compositions, arrangements and musical direction of Rubén Fuentes, and the unequaled voice of Miguel Aceves Mejía, initiated a musical shift that would change the sound and instrumentation of the mariachi. Due to the fact they change mariachi from the start they choose to keep it in away that it would still be traditional.
Revolutionary new harmony
In 1955 Rubén 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 Jesús Rodríguez de Hijar and, under both, the administrative and leadership skills of Silvestre Vargas. In 1966 Rubén Fuentes wrote "La Bikina", a song that was recognized as the epitome of this Revolutionary New Harmony and sound of the mariachi. He continues to write and produce music for Mariachi Vargas that takes is an emotional roller coaster from the height of happiness to the despair of a broken heart or a lost love. As much in Mexico as in foreign countries the Sones and Huapangos acquire new directions.
Mariachi conferences
In the 1970s interest in mariachi music was waning. But all that changed when San Antonio, Texas held its first international mariachi conference in September 1979. 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 1983, the Mariachi Vargas appeared for the first time at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference. A new movement began to grow and many other conferences began to develop. The Mariachi Vargas was often chosen as the headline performer.
In 1986, Linda Ronstadt appeared with the Mariachi Vargas at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference where she sang publicly 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 international exposure to mariachi music than ever before and creating a new audience for mariachi music among non-Hispanics.
Classical mariachi
In 1989, the Mariachi Vargas released their "En Concierto" CD featuring some of the greatest renderings of classical music ever played by a mariachi group. They also accompanied Lucero in the 1990s as she rose in the ranks of contemporary musical stardom. The Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán initiated a series of solo recordings: Sones, Valses, Pasos Dobles, Bailes Regionales, Polkas, Clasico e International, etc. They have added more than 50 recordings of mariachi music interpreted by what has become "The Best Mariachi in the World."
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.[citation needed] In their album "La fiesta del Mariachi", Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, fourth generation, the group integrates to make a tribute to Jose "Pepe" Martínez, 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 Rubén Fuentes". Rubén Fuentes's arrangements and music with the Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán are the first five recordings for the one-hundredth anniversary of the foundation of "Vargas" in 1997.
5th generation (2003–present)
In 2003 Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán began its fifth generation. Their latest recordings 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, three 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 popurris that continue to delight audiences everywhere. In the 100 years since its foundation, the group has gone through some major changes. While there has been 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 Tecalitlán" celebrated its first One Hundred years of foundation.
Discography
From 1937 until now (2009), the Mariachi Vargas has produced over 50 recordings, whose contents are Huastecos sones, waltzes, popurris, polkas, huapango, cumbias, among others.
Danzones (1964 RCA)
Mariachi *Colección Original (BMG Latin, 1999) –This is a recording recompilation made while 1958–1968 -.
Lo Mejor de lo Mejor (BMG Latin, 2000) –This is a recording recompilation made while 1958–1967 -.
Tradicionales de México Lindo Y Querido (LIDERES, 2001).
Sinfónico With Orquesta Filarmónica del Estado de Querétaro (2001) –Directed by Maestro José Guadalupe Flores-.
5ta. Generación (2002).
Sinfónico II With Orquesta Filarmónica del Estado de Querétaro (2002) Directed by Maestro José Guadalupe Flores-.
Penas, Desengaños Y Amores (2004).
Y aquí estamos (2008).
Los Fernandez
Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
porque yo me crié en jalisco
entre praderas y ríos
en los altos y los riscos
De arriero y tequilero
me e convertido en un charro
porque amanzo hasta becerros
y bebo a boca de jarroooo...
entre rosas y el rocio
besando de pico en pico
me dicen el tapatiooooooo
loco...
me dicen loco
porque hablo con las aves
y a los amigos que me encuentro
por la calle
no le platico de otra cosa
que de ti
loco ...porque me ama
la mejor de las estrellas
porque se niegan
aceptar que la mas bella
haya bajado de tan alto
para mi
Loco... porque les digo
que me quieres con el alma
y por las tardes
cada vez que cae tu falda
voy despojandote
de todo lo demás
Loco ... por esos ojos
que me dicen que me amas
cuando amanecen
encimita de mi almohada
tras esas noches de locura
que me das
cuando te sueño
The lyrics of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán's song Los Fernandez tell the story of a man who is proud of his roots in Jalisco, Mexico. He describes himself as a tapatío, or someone from Guadalajara, because he grew up surrounded by the beauty of Jalisco’s prairies, rivers and hills. He also mentions his skills as a cowboy and tequila maker, becoming a charro known for taming young heifers and drinking from a jar.
The song then takes a more intimate turn as he talks about how people call him "crazy" because of his close relationship with the natural world and his deep love for a woman. He brags about being loved by the most beautiful star in the sky and resents those who refuse to believe that such beauty could love someone like him. He also talks about how he tells his friends and anyone who will listen about the woman in his life who is the only thing that matters to him. The song ends with him dreaming about her and the passionate moments they share.
Overall, the song is a celebration of Mexican culture and the deep connections we have with the land, the people we love, and the traditions that make us who we are.
Line by Line Meaning
Me dicen el tapatio
They call me 'el tapatio'
porque yo me crié en jalisco
because I grew up in Jalisco
entre praderas y ríos
among meadows and rivers
en los altos y los riscos
in the highlands and cliffs
De arriero y tequilero
From mule driver to tequila drinker
me e convertido en un charro
I have become a cowboy
porque amanzo hasta becerros
because I tame even calves
y bebo a boca de jarroooo...
and drink straight from the jug
me dicen el tapatio porque yo me crié en jalisco
They call me 'el tapatio' because I grew up in Jalisco
entre rosas y el rocio
among roses and dew
besando de pico en pico
kissing from lip to lip
me dicen el tapatiooooooo
They call me 'el tapatio'
loco...
crazy...
me dicen loco
They call me crazy
porque hablo con las aves
because I talk to birds
y a los amigos que me encuentro
and to the friends I meet
por la calle
on the street
no le platico de otra cosa
I don't talk about anything else
que de ti
but you
loco ...porque me ama
crazy...because she loves me
la mejor de las estrellas
the best of the stars
porque se niegan
because they refuse
aceptar que la mas bella
to accept that the most beautiful
haya bajado de tan alto
has come down from so high
para mi
for me
Loco... porque les digo
Crazy...because I tell them
que me quieres con el alma
that you love me with your soul
y por las tardes
and in the afternoons
cada vez que cae tu falda
every time your skirt falls
voy despojandote
I am undressing you
de todo lo demás
of everything else
Loco ... por esos ojos
Crazy...for those eyes
que me dicen que me amas
that tell me you love me
cuando amanecen
when they wake up
encimita de mi almohada
on top of my pillow
tras esas noches de locura
after those nights of madness
que me das
you give me
cuando te sueño
when I dream of you
Contributed by Kaylee G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ana.milenaecheverri3484
Mariachi Vargas, lo mejor del mundo. Una Colombiana italiana. Los adoroooooo
@teresaahumada8754
Ese guero hermoso!!! Todos son uno profesionales!!! Mis respeto!!!
@josebasaldua6825
Soy de Colombia solo quiero decirles que México tiene música gastronomía y cultura
@iosonoi.7132
¿Gastronomía?
@ricardoduran8167
Gracias esto es recíproco para mi,a mi gusta mucho colombia algún día conoceré ese hermoso pais,saluditos
@kinkaju1975
Jajajajajajaajaj se ve que no conoces Perú
@josemanuelvelasco3707
Ni quién quiera conocer ese chingado país sudamericano
@martinsanchez5339
Y ustedes los Colombianos no se quedan atrás, hace un mes estuve por Bogota, el Eje cafetero y Medellin . Que belleza de gente!!
@dannylanzasbarreto8469
Soy nicaragüenses pero me encanta la música dr marichi
@tereruelas
Los Jaliscienses traen la Música 🎵 en el Corazón ❤️ Bravoo