Bryan Vargas & Ya Esta

Guitarist & Grammy nominated songwriter Bryan Vargas has recorded and performed on stages around the world with music legends & underground indie phenoms. He is one of the most active guitarists in New York City’s “World Music” community, and beyond. Vargas was the original guitarist of the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra and currently can be seen with Hip Hop DJ's Stretch & Bobbito and their band the M-19s, Puerto Rican neo-folk group Raquel Z. Rivera & Ojos de Sofia, Indian vocalist Falu, Mexican cumbia-rockers Pistolera, & bolero revivalists Miramar, among others. Vargas was the “tenor” guitar player for the Tony award winning Broadway musical “Fela!,” directed by Bill T. Jones, and was the Asst. Music Director for its American touring production. Currently Vargas co-leads the band Chop & Quench (The “Fela!” Band), which features the band and cast members from the show. Vargas’ debut CD “Afro Latino Soul,” was produced by Arturo O’Farrill. It was called one of the Ten Best World Music CDs of 2004 by WFMU (New York), WBEZ (Chicago) & WNYU (New York). His original composition, “As Warm As The Sun,” was featured in Spike Lee’s Netflix series, “She’s Gotta Have It.” Vargas co-wrote and performed the songs on the multicultural children’s album, “Falu’s Bazaar,” with the Classical Indian vocalist, Falu which was nominated for a 2019 Grammy Award for Best Children’s Album.