This is the third concert of the WPL Spring 2025 Jazz Concert Series and we have the great pleasure of presenting The Marcos Varela Quartet!  This band is comprised of: 

Marcos Varela (bass) 

Oscar Perez (keyboards)

Steve Johns (drums)

Elijah Jamal Balbed (saxophone)

Registration is required as space is limited. PLEASE NOTE: Due to the increased interest and attendance in our jazz concert series, we have had standing room only with a wait list for our concerts this year.  If you are unable to attend (and have registered), please cancel your registration so others can attend. Contact Patty Slezak, Reference Librarian, if you need assistance. Thank you.

Marcos Varela is regarded as a master of both acoustic and electric bass and is among the most well respected bass musicians in the American and International Jazz scene. His talents have 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 full scholarship. A university that he now is a professor at, coaching the Herbie Hancock Ensemble as well as private bass lessons. He is also a professor and on faculty at Montclair State University. 

 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 has performed, recorded and toured nationally and internationally with a wide variety of ensembles and band leaders including: Ingrid Jensen, Billy Hart, Eddie Henderson, Nasheet Waits, Charli Persip Big Band and Trio, Vincent Gardener’s Big Band - Jazz Houston, The Mingus Big Band, Nasheet Waits, John Holiday, George Cables, Antoine Roney Trio, Clifton Anderson, ‪Jason Moran 713-212 Generations Project, ‪Geri Allen, ‪The Last Poets, ‪Leslie Odom, Jr., Frank Lacy’s Vibe Tribe, ‪Kendrick Scott, ‪Billy Harper, ‪Tyshawn Sorey, and John Holiday, among countless others. 

Varela was also selected as a member of ‪Jazz at Lincoln Center trombonist Vincent Gardner's Jazz Houston, which has featured guests such as ‪Gregory Porter, ‪Wynton Marsalis, ‪Ruben Blades, Stixx Hooper and‪ Jon Faddis with a recent performance at the Kennedy Center, Duke Ellingtons hometown for Duke’s 125th birthday celebration hosted by his granddaughter, Mercedes Ellington. As a composer, Varela has also composed music for several film and television projects, including director Domenica Cameron-Scorsese's film "Roots in Water."

 Legendary bassist ‪Ron Carter contributed to the liner notes for Varela's Origin Records debut album "San Ygnacio,” where Carter writes that Varela's "Tone, Choice of Notes and Compositions will place his playing and name on the list of bassists to be heard.”

 In addition, Mr. Carter has made statements regarding Varela’s musical contributions, saying of him “a valuable  asset to any musical organization,” “a truly unique musician,” “Mr. Varela belongs in the top bass players in the    industry and his impressive resume confirms my words,” “a fine example of talent that is essential to the scene,” and “top notch proficiency on his instrument as well as a complete understanding of the history and details of the jazz art form.”

 In addition to sideman work, Varela leads his own projects. This includes a European tour which featured a festival headlining performance of the music of his debut album “San Ygnacio” at the historic Jazz á Liège festival in Liege, Belgium. This project (Marcos Varela featuring Billy Hart) shared a billing with Fred Hersch's Trio at the festival.     He also headlined leading an all star quartet at Prishtina’s Jazz Week in Kosovo, in March of 2020. He opened for the Legendary Mavis Staples with his “San Ygnacio project” in his hometown of Houston, TX at Discovery Green in October 2021 and most recently headlined the 30th anniversary of the Bilbaina Jazz Association in Bilbao, Spain at the beautiful and historic Teatro Arriaga Antzokia in December 2021. Varela’s newest projects include “One Mind,” recently released on the Spanish label Fresh Sound Records, with pianist Peter Zak, as well as Seamus Blake and Billy Drummond. Another project on the same label “Illumination” featuring Rob Garcia, Marcos Varela, John  O’Gallagher, and ‪Noah Preminger, was the most recent release on December 15th, 2020. 

 Marcos is a recent recipient of a South Arts “Jazz Road” grant and is a Creative Capital fellow and Awardee. Marcos is an NS Design, Aguilar Amplification, Kolstein, D’Addario strings, Fishman, Mono Creators, and Fodera Artist.