An alumnus of the Houston’s High School for the Performing & Visual Arts (see: Jason Moran, Robert Glasper, Beyoncé Knowles), Marcos Varela came to New York on a scholarship from New School University/Mannes School of Music. The young bassist soon found himself collaborating with a host of world–class musicians, among them Billy Harper, Helen Sung, Aaron Goldberg, and Junior Mance. He began composing for such independent films as Roots in Water, directed by Domenica Cameron-Scorsese; and Greenwich and 11th, directed by John Carlino. This performance marks Marcos Varela’s Jazz Standard debut as a leader, with a top–shelf band including saxophonist Dayna Stephens and drummer Rudy Royston.
Marcos Varela – bass
Dayna Stephens – saxophones
Glenn Zaleski – piano
Rudy Royston – drums