Marcos Varela Trio Ft Liberty Elman And Mark Ferber at SJZ Break Room

Whether leading an all-star trio or laying down grooves for jazz giants, Varela’s performances are electrifying, heartfelt, and unmissable. Hailed as a "top bass player in the industry" by legend Ron Carter, Varela's artistry has resonated across the globe.

Bassist Marcos Varela is a true virtuoso of both acoustic and electric bass. With a career rich in accolades—including honors from YoungArts, Creative Capital, and South Arts’ Jazz Road grant—he’s not just a musician but a luminary composer, producer, and bandleader. A native of Houston, Texas, and an alumnus of the famed High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Varela sharpened his craft at The New School in NYC, where he now serves as a professor. His expertise extends to coaching the esteemed Herbie Hancock Ensemble and teaching at Montclair State University....

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Whether leading an all-star trio or laying down grooves for jazz giants, Varela’s performances are electrifying, heartfelt, and unmissable. Hailed as a "top bass player in the industry" by legend Ron Carter, Varela's artistry has resonated across the globe.

Bassist Marcos Varela is a true virtuoso of both acoustic and electric bass. With a career rich in accolades—including honors from YoungArts, Creative Capital, and South Arts’ Jazz Road grant—he’s not just a musician but a luminary composer, producer, and bandleader. A native of Houston, Texas, and an alumnus of the famed High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Varela sharpened his craft at The New School in NYC, where he now serves as a professor. His expertise extends to coaching the esteemed Herbie Hancock Ensemble and teaching at Montclair State University.

Varela's illustrious collaborations read like a who’s-who of jazz legends: Ingrid Jensen, Billy Hart, Eddie Henderson, Geri Allen, Nasheet Waits, The Mingus Big Band, Jason Moran, and even crossover icons like Leslie Odom Jr. and The Last Poets. He’s led bands that have graced iconic stages, from Jazz á Liège in Belgium, Theatro Arriaga Antzokia in Bilbao, Spain, Theatro Angela Peralta in Mexico City, and the Kennedy Center with Vincent Gardner’s-Jazz Houston, where he performed at Duke Ellington’s 125th birthday celebration. As a bandleader, Varela’s debut album, San Ygnacio, earned high praise, with Ron Carter calling his work "essential to the scene.” His projects continue to push boundaries, with recent releases like One Mind and Illumination showcasing his innovative spirit and versatility.

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