Silvestre Vargas
Encyclopedia
Silvestre Vargas was a Mexican mariachi
musician. In 1928, he became the leader of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán
, an ensemble from Jalisco
begun by his father in 1898. In the 1930s the group moved to Mexico City
, and Vargas, along with Rubén Fuentes
, became pivotal composers in the evolution of the genre. Silvestre and the Mariachi Vargas made dozens of recordings and starred in many films through the 1960s. He died in 1985, and his gravesite became a popular site for pilgrimage
s on the date of his death. In 1997, a museum dedicated to Silvestre was established in Jalisco
.
Mariachi
Mariachi is a genre of music that originated in the State of Jalisco, in Mexico. It is an integration of stringed instruments highly influenced by the cultural impacts of the historical development of Western Mexico. Throughout the history of mariachi, musicians have experimented with brass, wind,...
musician. In 1928, he became the leader of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán
Vargas de Tecalitlán
Vargas de Tecalitlan is a Mexican folk ensemble of mariachi music created in 1897 by Gaspar Vargas. From 1950 it has been under the artistic guidance of Rubén Fuentes. The group's musical direction has been the responsibility of Don Jose "Pepe" Martinez since 1975.-Members:A minimum mariachi group...
, an ensemble from Jalisco
Jalisco
Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
begun by his father in 1898. In the 1930s the group moved to Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, and Vargas, along with Rubén Fuentes
Rubén Fuentes
Rubén Fuentes Gassón , is a Mexican classical violinist and composer, who is best known for his contributions to Mariachi music. In 1944, he joined Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán as a violinist and later as a music arranger. In 1955 Fuentes stopped performing in the group, but he maintains his...
, became pivotal composers in the evolution of the genre. Silvestre and the Mariachi Vargas made dozens of recordings and starred in many films through the 1960s. He died in 1985, and his gravesite became a popular site for pilgrimage
Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey or search of great moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith...
s on the date of his death. In 1997, a museum dedicated to Silvestre was established in Jalisco
Jalisco
Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
.