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 also earned him various awards and accolades as musician, composer, band leader, and teacher.
Professional Musician
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 performs with The Mingus Big Band, John Holiday, George Cables, Ingrid Jensen, Billy Hart, Antoine Roney, Charli Persip, Clifton Anderson, Jason Moran, Geri Allen, The Last Poets, Leslie Odom, Jr., Frank Lacy’s Vibe Tribe, Kendrick Scott, Billy Harper, Tyshawn Sorey, and Vincent Gardner’s Jazz Houston, among countless others. He was 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, Jon Faddis, Jon Batiste, and Ramsey Lewis.
Original Debut Album
Legendary bassist Ron Carter contributed to the liner notes for Marcos’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 Marcos’ 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”, “top notch proficiency on his instrument as well as a complete understanding of the history and details of the jazz art form”.
Touring
In addition to sideman work, Varela leads his own projects. This includes a European tour which featured a performance of the music of his debut album “San Ygnacio” on Origin Records 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, Texas at Discovery Green in October 2021 and headlined the 30th anniversary of the Bilbaina Jazz Association in Bilbao, Spain at the beautiful and historic Teatro Arriaga Antzokia in December 2021.
Projects
Varela’s newest projects include “One Mind,” 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 released December, 2020. 2021 and 2022 brought additional debut recordings including “Seven Angels John Lake” Outside in Music. John Lake, Paul Jones, Michael Thomas, Steven Feifke, Marcos Varela, Jeff Davis. “Interleaved” Andrew Moorhead with Marcos Varela and Ari Hoenig, Origin Records; “Reencuentros – Cecilia Duarte”; and “The Gift of Brotherhood – Jerome Gillespie”. “Some Hidden Treasure” Alicia Waller and the Excursion. 2020, Innova Records. Cody Rahn: drums; Marcos Varela: bass, acoustic; Seth Johnson: guitar; Jeff McLaughlin: guitar; Takahiro Izumikawa: piano; Justin Carroll: keyboards; Adam Jackson: drums; Kenny Grohowski: drums; Alicia Waller: voice / vocals; Marilu Donovan: harp; Scott McCreary: cello; Andrew Griffin: viola; Shani Philpotts Baker: voice / vocals; Leah Heater: voice / vocals.
As a composer, Varela has created music for several film and television projects, including director Domenica Cameron-Scorsese’s film “Roots in Water.”
Teaching
Marcos Varela’s teaching pedagogy includes masterclass lectures on improvisation, playing in a rhythm section, composing and film scoring, ensemble instruction in various musical settings, big band instruction, as well as private lessons at the university level at some of the most prestigious music programs worldwide, including University of Miami, Western Australian Academy of the Performing Arts, Berklee College Of Music, HSPVA Houston, Texas A&M University, and many others. Varela was also a guest faculty member at Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music in Tamil Nadu, India alongside international artists Dafnis Prieto, Manuel Valera, Jordan Rudess, Carmen Staff, Ferenc Nemeth, Victor Gould, and many others.
Beginning in the Fall Semester 2022, Marcos joined the faculty at his Alma Mater, The School of Jazz and Contemporary Music at The New School in New York City. In 2024 he joined Montclair State University as Professor of Music.
Grants, Awards, & Commissions
In 2022 Marcos Varela received a Fellowship and Award from Creative Capital for Jazz, Jazz Performance, and Multimedia Performance.
Marcos Varela was a recipient of a 2021 and 2024 South Arts “Jazz Road” Grant, which included a highlight performance opening for the legendary Mavis Staples at the Discovery Green in Houston, Texas.
In 2025 he received the Mid-Atlantic Arts USAI Grant Award, providing funds for the Festival de Jazz de Polanco CDMX performance where the Marcos Varela Trio was the opening act. Varela has also received the YoungArts and Betty Carter Jazz Ahead fellowships.
