Wilfrido Vargas

Wilfrido Vargas
Wilfrido Vargas in 2008
Background information
Birth nameWilfrido Radamés Vargas Martínez
Born (1949-04-24) April 24, 1949
Altamira, Dominican Republic
GenresMerengue
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musician
  • songwriter
  • composer
  • arranger
  • trumpeter
  • actor
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • trumpet
Years active1972–present
Labels

Wilfrido Radamés Vargas Martínez (Spanish pronunciation: [wilˈfɾiðo ˈβaɾɣas]; born April 24, 1949, in Altamira, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic) is a Dominican trumpeter, vocalist, arranger, composer and producer. He was instrumental in making the merengue style a worldwide phenomenon.

He was surrounded by musical influences; namely, his father Ramón, an accordionist and guitarist, and his mother Bienvenida, a flute player and guitarist. Vargas began his musical studies early, attending the Municipal Academy of Music beginning at age 10.

He has been a trumpeter and a vocalist, but has also arranged, composed, and led his band, and is also a producer.