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).
Veracruz
Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Y no me quiso llevar
Y no me quiso llevar
Balajú se fue a la guerra
Le dijo a su compañera
Vamonos a navegar
A ver quien llega primero
Ariles y mas ariles
Ariles de aquel que vino
A darle agua a su caballo
Se le murió en el camino
Ariles y mas ariles
Ariles del carrizal
Me picaron las abejas
Pero me comí el panal
Yo nací
Con la luna de plata
Y nací
Con alma de pirata
He nacido
Rumbero y jarocho
Trobador deveras
Y me fui, lejos de Veracruz
Veracruz
Rinconcito donde hacen su nido
Las olas del mar
Veracruz
Rinconcito de patria que sabes
Sufrir y cantar
Veracruz
Son tus noches
Diluvio de estrellas
Palmera y mujer
Veracruz
Vibra en mi ser
Algún día hasta tus playas lejanas
Tendré que volver
Le canto a mi Veracruz
Un huapango retozón
Allá donde vi la luz
Y donde tengo un amor
Y al ras de la santa cruz
Donde la virgen naciera
Que viva mi Veracruz
La tierra mas bullanguera
Por mi Papaloapan ¡ay!
Y por mi Huasteca ¡ay!
Por mi linda tierra ¡ay!
Bella y calientita ¡ay!
Un par de cojuyitos que son los ojos de mi morena
Que bonito son (para querlos)
Que bonito son (para tenerlos)
Que bonito son (para besarlos)
Que bonito son
Para adorarlos
Que se arrime la abijuela que ya vamos a empezar
¡que venga también el arpa! esa no puede fallar
Que vengan las jarochitas que la bamba ya empezó
Con su ritmo calientito pa' alegrar el corazón
Por mi Papaloapan ¡ay!
Y por mi Huasteca ¡ay!
Por mi linda tierra ¡ay!
Bella y calientita
¡ay!
Un par de cojuyitos que son los ojos de mi morena
Que bonito son (para querlos)
Que bonito son (para tenerlos)
Que bonito son (para besarlos)
Que bonito son
Para adorarlos
Ese que bailó contigo
Dicen que te ama deveras
Dicen que te ama deveras
Ese que bailó contigo
Yo no sé lo que consigo
Recordando lo que tú eras
Ahora bailarás conmigo
Aunque quieras o no quieras
Ariles y mas ariles
Ariles de la cañada
La mujer es la que pierde
El hombre no pierde nada
Ariles y mas ariles
Ariles del carrizal
Me picaron las abejas
Pero me comí el panal
¡ay ay!
The song Veracruz by Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán is a tribute to the Mexican state of Veracruz, the birthplace of the son jarocho music genre. The song begins with the lyrics "Balajú se fue a la guerra, y no me quiso llevar," which roughly translates to "Balajú went to the war, and he didn't want to take me with him." The singer is lamenting the fact that her partner has gone off to war without her. However, she also expresses a sense of adventure, as the two of them had planned to go sailing and see who could reach the other side of the sea first.
Throughout the song, the lyrics paint a picture of Veracruz as a vibrant and lively place, with references to the various regions of the state, such as Huasteca and Papaloapan. The singer describes her love for Veracruz and its music, proclaiming, "He nacido rumbero y jarocho, trovador deveras" (I was born a rumba and jarocho, truly a troubadour). The song celebrates Veracruz's unique culture and its people's ability to endure and thrive despite adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Balajú se fue a la guerra
Balajú went off to war
Y no me quiso llevar
And he didn't want to take me
Y no me quiso llevar
And he didn't want to take me
Balajú se fue a la guerra
Balajú went off to war
Le dijo a su compañera
He told his companion
Vamonos a navegar
Let's go sail
A ver quien llega primero
To see who gets there first
Al otro lado del mar
To the other side of the sea
Ariles y mas ariles
Handles and more handles
Ariles de aquel que vino
Handles of the person who came
A darle agua a su caballo
To give water to his horse
Se le murió en el camino
It died on the way
Ariles y mas ariles
Handles and more handles
Ariles del carrizal
Handles of the riverbed
Me picaron las abejas
The bees stung me
Pero me comí el panal
But I ate the honeycomb
Yo nací
I was born
Con la luna de plata
Under the silver moon
Y nací
And I was born
Con alma de pirata
With a pirate's soul
He nacido
I was born
Rumbero y jarocho
A partygoer and from Jarocho
Trobador deveras
A true troubadour
Y me fui, lejos de Veracruz
And I left, far from Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz
Rinconcito donde hacen su nido
A corner where the waves make their nest
Las olas del mar
The waves of the sea
Veracruz
Veracruz
Rinconcito de patria que sabes
A corner of the homeland that knows
Sufrir y cantar
To suffer and sing
Veracruz
Veracruz
Son tus noches
Your nights are
Diluvio de estrellas
A deluge of stars
Palmera y mujer
Palm tree and woman
Veracruz
Veracruz
Vibra en mi ser
Vibrates in my being
Algún día hasta tus playas lejanas
One day I'll go to your faraway beaches
Tendré que volver
I'll have to come back
Le canto a mi Veracruz
I sing to my Veracruz
Un huapango retozón
A playful huapango
Allá donde vi la luz
Where I saw the light
Y donde tengo un amor
And where I have a love
Y al ras de la santa cruz
And at the foot of the holy cross
Donde la virgen naciera
Where the Virgin was born
Que viva mi Veracruz
Long live my Veracruz
La tierra mas bullanguera
The most boisterous land
Por mi Papaloapan ¡ay!
For my Papaloapan, oh!
Y por mi Huasteca ¡ay!
And for my Huasteca, oh!
Por mi linda tierra ¡ay!
For my beautiful land, oh!
Bella y calientita ¡ay!
Lovely and warm, oh!
Un par de cojuyitos que son los ojos de mi morena
A pair of little coconut palms that are my brown-skinned girl's eyes
Que bonito son (para querlos)
How beautiful they are (to love them)
Que bonito son (para tenerlos)
How beautiful they are (to have them)
Que bonito son (para besarlos)
How beautiful they are (to kiss them)
Que bonito son
How beautiful they are
Para adorarlos
To adore them
Que se arrime la abijuela que ya vamos a empezar
Let the abijuela come close, we're about to start
¡que venga también el arpa! esa no puede fallar
And let the harp come too! It cannot fail
Que vengan las jarochitas que la bamba ya empezó
Let the jarochitas come, the bamba has already begun
Con su ritmo calientito pa' alegrar el corazón
With their warm rhythm to cheer up the heart
Por mi Papaloapan ¡ay!
For my Papaloapan, oh!
Y por mi Huasteca ¡ay!
And for my Huasteca, oh!
Por mi linda tierra ¡ay!
For my beautiful land, oh!
Bella y calientita
Lovely and warm, oh!
¡ay!
Oh!
Un par de cojuyitos que son los ojos de mi morena
A pair of little coconut palms that are my brown-skinned girl's eyes
Que bonito son (para querlos)
How beautiful they are (to love them)
Que bonito son (para tenerlos)
How beautiful they are (to have them)
Que bonito son (para besarlos)
How beautiful they are (to kiss them)
Que bonito son
How beautiful they are
Para adorarlos
To adore them
Ese que bailó contigo
That guy who danced with you
Dicen que te ama deveras
They say he really loves you
Dicen que te ama deveras
They say he really loves you
Ese que bailó contigo
That guy who danced with you
Yo no sé lo que consigo
I don't know what I'm doing
Recordando lo que tú eras
Remembering what you were
Ahora bailarás conmigo
Now you'll dance with me
Aunque quieras o no quieras
Whether you want to or not
Ariles y mas ariles
Handles and more handles
Ariles de la cañada
Handles from the ravine
La mujer es la que pierde
The woman is the one who loses
El hombre no pierde nada
The man doesn't lose anything
Ariles y mas ariles
Handles and more handles
Ariles del carrizal
Handles of the riverbed
Me picaron las abejas
The bees stung me
Pero me comí el panal
But I ate the honeycomb
¡ay ay!
Oh, oh!
Writer(s): María Teresa Lara
Contributed by Maya I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@marcoscolmenares2810
Que bueno escuchar la música Mexicana y su cultura a través del mejor mariachi del mundo como lo es Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan desde 🇻🇪 para 🇲🇽
@mariaeugeniadiaz4366
Soy orgullosamente mexicana y le doy gracias a la vida haber nacido en un pais tan hermoso .
Con tantos cantantes de todo género , pero de música ranchera tuvimos y tenemos a grandes cantantes , Pedro Infante , Jorge Negrete , Agustín Lara , Lola Beltrán , Lucha Villa , José A. Alfredo Jiménez , Cuco Sánchez el inigualable JAVIER SOLIS y el mas grande cantautor JUAN GABRIEL !!!
@diegocardozo6032
No soy Mexicano nacido en esas tierras pero mi lema es MEXICO LINDO Y QUERIDO SI MUERO LEJOS DE TI, QUE DIGAN QUE ESTOY DORMIDO Y QUE MA TRAIGAN AQUI TENGO 4 HIJOS Y LOS 4 BIEN CACHANILLAS
@MONTERO2193
Ya dice el viejo refrán de nuestra querida Chavela Vargas, "Los mexicanos nacemos en donde se nos da la rechingada gana", saludos estimado Diego, desde Veracruz :D
@diegocardozo6032
@@MONTERO2193 miguel el mexicano es una persona que se enorgullece de ser mexicano por su nobleza sencillez y fidelidad son muy especial conviví por treinta años con ellos en mis trabajo y durante esos años mis amistades fueron solamente mexicanos he allí que sin mas ni mas me mi corazon entona VIVA MEXICO
@alejandramier4085
@@diegocardozo6032 de dónde es UD
@diegocardozo6032
@@alejandramier4085 alejandra soy argentino y tengo cuatro hijos cachanilla por ende de madre de mis hijos mexijana de jalisco y por tal es como si en mi venas lo que fluye es solo palabras mexico mexico mexico viva mexico
@roseavilac.845
@@diegocardozo6032 si eres Mexicano.
@luzmarthahernandezrojas5583
Totalmente hermosa mi musica mexicana Soy Orgullosamente Veracruzana de Cordoba la Ciudad de los 30 Caballeros Solo VERACRUZ Es BELLO 🏝️🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🇲🇽👏😀🏖️🏝️🌴🏝️🌴🏝️
@victoriaperalta3111
Soy de Córdoba Veracruz y 40 en Loma bonita pero mi música es Veracruzana p solo Veracruz es bello y OAXACA también