Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlán in El Paso

Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlán is a Mexican mariachi ensemble founded in 1897 in Tecalitlán, Jalisco, by Gaspar Vargas. Its repertoire spans son jalisciense, ranchera and huapango, and the group is closely associated with its arrangement of “El Son de la Negra.” Its recording history also includes work with Linda Ronstadt on Canciones de Mi Padre and Luis Miguel on México en la Piel. Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlán accompanied Linda Ronstadt in the televised Canciones de Mi Padre concert filmed at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara. In 2017, the ensemble marked its 120th anniversary with a concert at Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City. The concert format is a full mariachi ensemble built around violins, trumpets, vihuela, guitar and guitarrón. Instrumental arrangements, ensemble singing and featured solo voices carry a repertoire rooted in Mexican regional music. The Tucson International Mariachi Conference has repeatedly presented the group in its Espectacular concert and educational program. The ensemble is also the namesake centerpiece of the annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza in San Antonio.