Bassist and composer, Marcos Varela is an unending encyclopedia of musicians, scenes, and cultures. In this episode, we chat about a shared dedication between athletes and musicians, how the process of scoring a film influenced his approach as a producer, and a diplomatic perspective on recounting our “gigs from hell”. Watch the interview on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/ChristianWiggs
Mentor-Protégé lineage! Ultimate cuisine guidance!
Removing ego from the situation! Bassist and composer, Marcos Varela is an unending encyclopedia of musicians, scenes, and cultures. In this episode, we chat about a shared dedication between athletes and musicians, how the process of scoring a film influenced his approach as a producer, and a diplomatic perspective on recounting our “gigs from hell”.
FEATURED RELEASE:
Marcos Varela
“San Ygnacio” (2016)
Getting to Know: Marcos!
Marcos Varela, an equally skilled doubler at both acoustic and electric bass, is among the most highly respected bassists/musicians in the American and International Jazz/music scene. His talents have also earned him many awards (YoungArts, Creative Capital, Jazz Road) and accolades as a musician, composer, producer, band leader, and educator.
In his hometown of Houston, Texas, Varela attended the renowned High School for the Performing & Visual Arts, which paved the path for him to NYC to attend the storied New School on scholarship. As a professional musician, he continues to be very active in the New York jazz and contemporary music scene, and has made a name for himself as one of the most in-demand bassists in the City and worldwide. He regularly performs with a wide variety of ensembles and band leader including: The Mingus Big Band, Nasheet Waits, John Holiday, George Cables, Ingrid Jensen, Billy Hart, Antoine Roney, Charli Persip, Clifton Anderson, Jason Moran, Geri Allen, The Last Poets, Leslie Odom, Jr., Frank Lacy’s Vibe Tribe, Kendrick Scott, Billy Harper, Tyshawn Sorey, and Bob Mover, among countless others.
Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel here!