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.