Uncharted: Bryan Vargas

Greenwich House Music School is pleased to present Bryan Vargas as part of its 11th annual Uncharted Concert Series, part of the Baisley Powell Elebash Artists in Residence Program.

Bryan Vargas, a native New Yorker with Puerto Rican roots, has spent his entire life immersed in the vibrant, ever-evolving music scene of the city. Vargas spent years honing his craft as a jazz guitarist, but today his musical journey spans across genres and continents. Known for his versatility, he seamlessly blends influences from cumbia, Hungarian gypsy music, Cuban rumba, Latin jazz, blues, and beyond.

With his early ensemble, Bryan Vargas y ¡Ya Está!, he sought to forge deeper connections to his cultural heritage, embracing the rhythmic, danceable elements of Afro-Latin jazz. Over time, his musical journey expanded as he collaborated with new artists and projects, including serving as the original guitarist for the Afrobeat collective Antibalas and playing a key role in the Fela! musical and its subsequent tour. These experiences led him to discover his unique sound—a powerful blend of tradition and innovation in which he writes instrumental music with messages of resistance.

As Vargas explains, "It comes down to how I identify myself. I live in New York City, a place where I am influenced by everything but still am able to honor my traditions and identity. I’m not pressured to conform to generic Americana. I’m allowed to be me, to share these collective experiences. And I feel like my music reflects that." His work on the Uncharted stage will continue to explore the intersection of cultural heritage, musical innovation, and personal expression.

Uncharted, now in its eleventh year, has been an invaluable resource for New York-based musicians to develop original material, foster new collaborations, and premiere first-look projects in an intimate concert setting.

Host or Publisher Greenwich House Music School