Mariachi Vargas looks quite different today as compared to 25 years ago. In 1995, Jose “Pepe” Martinez, Sr. was the musical director and Federico Torres and Gustavo Alvarado were the only two trumpet players. Rafael Palomar (Jonathan Palomar’s father) was the only guitar player and Victor “Pato” Cardenas was the vihuela player. There were six violins: Manuel Vargas, Francisco “Pancho” Gonzalez, Daniel Martinez, Jose Pepe Martinez, Sr., Jose Pepe Martinez, Jr. and Mario de Santiago. Enrique de Satiago was on the guitarron and continues today. In fact, 25 years after the first Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza, only 3 of the group’s members who played at the Majestic Theater back in 1995, are still with us today. They are Gustavo Alvarado, Daniel Martinez and Enrique de Santiago. 

The following biographies will give you a glimpse of the current members of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán in order of stage performance.

Óscar Ortega joined Mariachi Vargas as a vocalist and violinist three years ago. Since then, he recorded on Vargas’ latest album Concierto Sinfónico de Aniversario and performed with the group on Luis Miguel’s México Por Siempre tour. Prior to this, he recorded a solo CD with Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán and participated in the group’s El Mejor Mariachi de Jalisco album. Oscar is a native of Guadalajara where he and his wife Blanca raise their six children.

Daniel Martínez has performed with Mariachi Vargas as a vocalist and violinist for 35 years. As the senior member of the group, he is the sole remaining musician who performed with Vargas during their historic Canciones de Mi Padre tour with Linda Ronstadt. The CD, recorded in 1987, remains to this day the biggest selling Spanish-language album in American record history. Daniel is also a prolific songwriter with more than 100 original songs to his credit.

Robert López is the first Mexican American to join Mariachi Vargas in its 122-year history. The California native made his mark on the mariachi world as a vocalist and violinist during his 10-year career with Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández. Prior to joining Mariachi Vargas in 2018, Robert recorded on several albums with Mariachi Sol de México and Mariachi Los Camperos and even shared the stage with Lady Gaga.

Ángel López joined Mariachi Vargas as a vocalist and violinist in the summer of 2018. Prior to that, he toured with Juan Gabriel’s Mariachi de Mi Tierra for five years. Juan Gabriel often presented Ángel as a featured soloist in his shows up until the passing of the legendary artist in 2016. Ángel also honed his skills with Mexico City-based groups like Mariachi Gallos de México de Felipe Martínez (son of the late José “Pepe” Martínez, Sr.) and Mariachi Sonidos de América. 

Andrés González joined Mariachi Vargas in 2007 and quickly became a fan favorite with his interpretation of what would become his signature song “Qué Bonita es Esta Vida.” The song was released on Vargas’ Rancheras…Y Algo Más album and is one of his many recordings with the group. Andrés’ rich baritone voice and outstanding showmanship are an essential asset to Mariachi Vargas’ illustrious lineup. 

Carlos Martínez is the musical director and a vocalist and violinist for Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. Over the past five years, he has brought Vargas to new musical heights by introducing new material and arrangements for the group. Under his direction, Vargas has toured recently with Luis Miguel and Banda El Recodo. His most recent work can be heard on the group’s latest album — Concierto Sinfónico de Aniversario. Prior to joining Vargas, Carlos was the musical director for Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán.

Gustavo Alvarado has played the trumpet in thousands of performances with Mariachi Vargas over the past 28 years. His tone, style, versatility and musicianship have earned him the reputation as one of the greatest trumpet players in the history of mariachi music. Before joining Vargas, Gustavo was a member of several Mexico City-based groups including Mariachi Los Monarcas, Mariachi Perla de Occidente and Mariachi de América.

Fernando Velázquez has a well-earned reputation as a mariachi trumpet virtuoso who can play all three parts with equal ease. The Tepatitlán, Jalisco native is also an excellent singer. Before joining Vargas in 2008, Fernando played with Los Angeles-based groups Mariachi Imperial de México, Mariachi Sol de México, Mariachi Internacional de México and Mariachi Los Camperos. His greatest influence was Vargas’ very first trumpet player — Miguel Martínez.

Agustín Sandoval is the newest trompetista to join Mariachi Vargas. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music from the Universidad de Guadalajara and has performed as a soloist with a wide variety of ensembles. His diverse musical background includes symphonic music, big band and modern jazz. Prior to joining Vargas, Agustín was a member of Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán and Mariachi Real de Oro in Guadalajara. He is a cousin to former Vargas member Steeven Sandoval.

Enrique de Santiago descends from Mexico’s most respected family of guitarrón virtuosos. His father Berna is the most recorded guitarrón player in history and his late uncle Nati is considered the all-time greatest practitioner of the instrument. Enrique has been a key contributor to the evolution of mariachi music and the role of the guitarrón during his 30-year trajectory with Mariachi Vargas.

Víctor Álvarez has an impressive résumé that includes a bachelor’s degree in music education from the prestigious Universidad Veracruzana and a master’s degree in music technology from the Universidad Filadelfia de México. He has received numerous awards in several countries for his diverse talents and accomplishments as a highly skilled musician and performer. Víctor is also an accomplished pianist and just completed his first year as Mariachi Vargas’ harp player.

Gilberto Aguirre is a multi-talented musician and entrepreneur who joined Mariachi Vargas as a vihuela player in 2013. He operates Gil Productions Entertainment in Guadalajara and also sells his own line of vihuelas. Prior to joining Vargas, Gilberto played with a succession of groups that included Mariachi Los Tecolotes, Mariachi Los Toritos, Mariachi Los Galleros, Mariachi Internacional Guadalajara, Mariachi San Francisco and Mariachi Alas de México.

Jonathan Palomar’s greatness can be attributed in part to the fact that he descends from a legendary musical family. His father Rafael Palomar was a vocalist and guitarist with Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán for 23 years (1980–2003) and his grandfather Román Palomar is best known as author of the famous cumbia “El Mariachi Loco.” Jonathan joined Mariachi Vargas in 2017 as a guitarist and vocalist. He is widely recognized for his spellbinding interpretation of “Llamarada” which premiered at the San Antonio Film Festival earlier this summer. 

Arturo Vargas began his vocal career as a child prodigy at age 7 in the small town of El Tepehuaje, Jalisco. By the time he was a young adult, he had performed on over 100 television programs and competed in numerous music festivals and competitions in Mexico and abroad. Arturo mesmerizes audiences with his high tenor voice in his signature song “El Pastor.” His awe-inspiring falsetto has become a hallmark of Mariachi Vargas concerts around the world.  

Multi-instrumentalist Miguel Ángel Barrón was born in Guadalajara, where his grandfather and uncles on his mother’s side were mariachi musicians. At age 8, he began taking private music lessons, and by age 10, he had joined Mariachi Juvenil Jalisciense. At age 13, he joined his grandfather’s group, Mariachi Guadalajara, where he remained for two years. From ages 14 to 21, he worked with mariachi groups in the El Parián restaurant complex in Tlaquepaque, on the outskirts of Guadalajara. Read more

José “Pepe” Martínez Jr. was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco. When he was six years old, his father, Pepe Martínez Sr., joined Mariachi Vargas, and their family moved to Mexico City. At age seven, he enrolled in the Escuela de Iniciación Artística, where he learned piano and the fundamentals of music. Upon graduation, he continued his studies at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música and the Sindicato Único de Trabajadores de la Música. Read more

Julio Martínez (no relation to other Mariachi Vargas members of the same last name) was born in Mexico City. His father, Julio Martínez Sr., was an avid collector of harp records from all regions of Mexico and South America, and Julio enjoyed listening to harp music from his earliest childhood. At age 14, his father bought him his first harp, and he began studying under the tutelage of legendary Veracruz harpist Mario Barradas. Read more

Trumpeter Jorge Alberto Aguayo hails from Nochistlán, Zacatecas, a town famous for outstanding trumpet players. Born into a family of mariachi musicians, at age 13 young Jorge began studying the trumpet, and at age 15, he started playing with a series of local mariachis. In 1997 he moved to Guadalajara, where he played with mariachis Moya, Nuevo Instrumental, Jalisciensce de Roberto Pinzón and Los Toritos. Read more

Guadalajara native Alberto Alfaro’s parents describe how, as a baby, he was already imitating the bowing of his father’s violin playing. It wasn’t until age 9, however, that he began studying the violin seriously with his father, Florentino Alfaro. By age 12, Beto had become a full-fledged member of Mariachi Santa Cecilia. He spent his youth playing violin with a long succession of Guadalajara mariachis, the most memorable of which were Los Tecolotes, Internacional Guadalajara, Nuevo México, and Continental. Read more

Guadalajara native Osvaldo Mendoza descends from a long line of mariachi musicians. For over four decades his father, trumpeter Cleto Mendoza, accompanied Vicente Fernández as a member of Mariachi Juvenil Azteca. Osvaldo’s grandfather, Vicente Mendoza, played in a mariachi together with the grandfather of Vargas member Andrés González. Read more

Steeven Sandoval has been one of the most acclaimed vocalists to perform with el mejor mariachi del mundo, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán over the past 115 years. He has been a vocalist and violinist with Mariachi Vargas since 1998. Steeven always fascinates audiences with his power, majestic rendition of “Por Amor” and many other phenomenal songs. Recently, Steeven decided to leave Mariachi Vargas to be closer to his family and help operate a family owned business.

José “Pepe” Martínez Sr. Bio to be released.

Federeico Torres. Bio to be released.

Fernando Martínez. Bio to be released.

Rafael Palomar. Bio to be released.

Manuel Vargas. Bio to be released.

Victor Cardenas. Bio to be released.

Rubén Fuentes. Bio to be released.