Read more about Héctor Varela
Uncorrected translation by Google translate
Héctor grew up in Avellaneda. Graduated as an accountant, he preferred to follow his love for the bandoneón, took lessons and later entered the conservatory. Some time later he played in Juan D’Arienzo’s bandoneon section.
In 1929, at the age of 16, he left the orchestra, then played in several other orchestras, including for radio, and accompanied Tita Merello. Later he rejoined Juan D’Arienzo’s orchestra for the recordings made for the Electra label. In 1935 he was asked by Enrique Santos Discépolo to join his group that played on Radio Municipal.
In 1939 he put together his first orchestra, it appeared on the radio, but failed to record. He had a style similar to that of D’Arienzo, a style chosen by young dancers. Shortly afterwards he was summoned by Juan d’Arienzo, El Rey del Compás (the King of the Measure) and disbanded his group.
By 1940 he was already a recognized bandoneon player and was D’Arienzo’s leading bandoneon and arranger for the ten years he would remain in his orchestra. These were years rich in hits on the radio and in the dance halls. The orchestra recorded twenty of his compositions, including Don Alfonso.
He formed his own orchestra again in 1950. The public and critics then expected the birth of a new formation in the old style of D’Arienzo, but Varela surprised when he presented an absolutely personal tight outfit of rhythm and sound.
It became an overwhelming success. He was broadcast on central radio hours and was hired to play in the famous Chantecler cabaret. But he also worked at the mythical Marabú, at the dance halls in almost all clubs and at the famous radio program Glostora Tango Club.
The period of the greatest sales of his records was with the singer duo Rodolfo Lesica and Argentino Ledesma.
Héctor Varela was a musician criticized by the innovative players, but loved by the fans of dance and popular tango. His best artistic period took place in the early 1950s. Later his orchestra, like his teacher D’Arienzo, turned in a commercial direction, due to the impressive increase in his record sales.