ZAPATA – The Marcos Varela Jazz Trio will perform on Monday, February 2 at 5 p.m. at the Zapata County Museum of History (801 US-83.) The performance, which is the inaugural event of the Zapata County Tourism Board, is free and open to the public. Varela will perform with Emilio Modeste of Los Angeles on the sax and NYC drummer Michael Ode.
Varela has familial ties to the founders of San Ygnacio. He is the great-grandson of the late María Dionicia Benavides de Gutierrez, the daughter of Manuel Benavides Treviño. Varela is the son of the late Alfonso Varela and Sandra Santa María of Houston.
He is regarded as a master of both acoustic and electric bass, and he stands among the most respected bassists in the American and international jazz scenes today. He is a deeply expressive player and adventurous composer whose artistry has earned him numerous honors, including fellowships from Creative Capital, Jazz Road, YoungArts, and Betty Carter Jazz Ahead. Whether performing, recording, composing, or teaching, Varela is known for his powerful tone, musical sensitivity, and ability to bridge genres with grace and authenticity.
Marcos Varela
As a Creative Capital fellow, his original jazz compositions highlight that Jazz is th.e Americas’ gift to the world. Aside from the convention that jazz music is, by definition, an African American art form, there are pronounced and remarkable influences by the Indigenous peoples of The New World. Obviously there are connections that extend into the Caribbean as far as Cuba with jazz, cumbia, and huapango.
Zapata is the first stop on Varela’s San Ygnacio Tour, which continues to Houston, Austin, Santa Fe, and Taos
The County of Zapata is proud to claim Marcos Varela and his deep association with a unique historical and musical heritage that has been acknowledged by so many international councils and in audience gatherings in San Ygnacio over the years.
Sponsors of the event are Los Corralitos Ranch, Salinas-Rincon Holding Co., D&E Foodcraft, Rose Garden Funeral Home, Steakhouse Restaurant, El Rinconcito de los Angeles Restaurant, and Cornerstone Realty.
The highest level of support for the Zapata County Tourism Board’s programs is the Platinum Hispanic Heritage Underwriter at $2,500 – $5,000. There are six spots at this level and four have already been assigned. Other sponsorship levels are Gold ($1,000), Silver ($500) and Bronze ($250). Parties interested in sponsorship of this event of the Tourism Board can make checks payable to “Friends of the Museum.”
