VERNY VARELA
Interviewed by: Angela

Part of the Biography of Verny

He is an arranger, composer, singer and flutist who holds a bachelor’s degree in music from the Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia. He was born in Cali and grew up in the "Barrio Obrero" where he started singing and playing with his father's band, "El Nuevo Son." In 1996 in Cali and in Tulua he sang with Ismael Miranda, Adalberto Santiago and Pete "El Conde" Rodríguez , members of the Fania All Stars. In 1997 Verny was the lead singer in the Gabino Pampini Band. Later, he went on tour in Europe and in the U.S. with Tito Gomez. In 2001, Verny wrote and recorded for ESL Music on Thievery Corporation's album. In that same year he wrote and recorded on the Hip Hop CD "The 51st State." In New York in 2002 Verny sang on the 40th Anniversary CD of the outstanding charanga band, Orquesta Broadway. Now, Verny Varela is a student in the Jazz Studies Program at the University of the District of Columbia, and he teaches music at Bell Multicultural High School .

Who is in your group and what do they do or play?
trumpet (David Lopez)
tenor sax (Rudy Gonzales)
trombone (Carlos Barreto)
piano (Patrick Dowling)
bass (Jose Ruiz)
conga (Adam Tafur)
Timbal (Michael Montañez)
Cora (Rafy Alvarez)
Vocal lead, director and Flute (Verny Varela)

Where did your name originate and what does it mean to you?
That is a funny story actually. My parents got this name from a movie star. His nickname was Tony Curtis, but his real was Bernie. My parents heard it, and they chose it. They didn’t know the write spelling, and also “V” and “B” sound the same in Spanish.

How would you describe your music in your own words?
My music has a little of everything: Dancing beat, romantic lyrics, lyrics with message and good arrangements .

Is your music exclusively in Spanish or do you have English songs too?
I don’t have songs in English yet, but I will.

How do you feel that everyone has treated you since you started in the music biz?
It has been difficult, music isn’t an easy profession. Some people have treated me well some people haven’t, but I can complain that is life.

Is there any new albums, demos, videos or anything else that is scheduled to be released in 2005?
Yes, I’m finishing my second video that will be promoting in Cali Colombia. This for the song “He Vuelto Amar” that is number 1 there. Also, I will be touring with Thievery Corporation this spring and summer.

Where can people go online to listen to your music?
www.vernymusic.com

How can they buy copies of your albums?
www.vernymusic.com

How do you promote your music & website?
This is the most difficult and expensive part. Big labels gives a lot of money to Radio Stations (Payoffs). That’s the way it works. I’m an independent label and I can’t afford it. What I do is to give my CD to DJs and non commercial radio stations . They have helped me a lot.

What radio stations are currently playing your songs?
WPFW Washington DC and radios stations in Cali

What do you hope to accomplish before the end of 2005?
OHH. I hope to finish writing and arranging my second album to start recording in 2006

What is your official website?
www.vernymusic.com

How can people get in touch with you for more info or bookings?
www.vernymusic.com

Is there anything that you want to say to your fans and other up and coming musicians?
Whatever your dream is, don’t give it up until you accomplish it. Thank you for supporting me, and please write me back so that I can get to know you too.

Discography:
1 album as a soloist. (Salsa)
3 Albums as a guest with Thievery Corporation (Fusion)
1 Album as a guest with Orquesta Broadway (Cahranga)
1 album as a guest with 51st state (Hip Hop)

Anything else you want to add?
Yes. Thanks for this opportunity to express my self and thank you God for everything. Remember people to be tolerant and do not allow indifference to get to you.

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VERNY VARELA
Entrevistado por: Angela

Parte de la Biografia de Verny:

Arreglista, compositor, cantante, flautista, y licenciado en musica de la Universidad del Valle, nacio en el barrio obrero de Cali Colombia. Inicio su carrera musical en la orquesta de su padre Hernando Varela “El Nuevo Son”. Como cantante ha formado parte de reconocidas orquestas de salsa. En 1996 estuvo en la banda que acompaño en Cali y Tulua a Ismael Miranda, Aldalberto Santiago y Pete Conde Rodriguez (cantantes Fania All Star). En 1997, fue lider y cantante de la orquesta de Gabino Pampini. Despues ingreso a la orquesta de Tito Gomez llevandolo a un tour a Europa y Estados Unidos. En Nueva York 2002 como vocalista participa en la grabacion del CD 40 aniversario de una de las mas importantes orquestas de charanga, la Orquesta Broadway. Actualmente estudia Jazz en la Universidad del Distrito de Colombia y canta con reconocidas bandas del area.

Quien esta en tu grupo y que instrumentos tocan?
1 trumpet (David Lopez)
1 tenor sax (Rudy Gonzales)
1 trombone (Carlos Barreto)
piano (Patrick Dowling)
bass (Jose Ruiz)
conga (Adam Tafur)
Timbal (Michael Montañez)
Cora (Rafy Alvarez)
Vocal lead, director and Flute (Verny Varela)

Cuando fue originado tu nombre y cual es el significado?
Fue algo curioso. Mi padres me dijieron que lo sacaron de un artista de cine, Tony Curtis. Su verdadero nombre era Bernie. Pero mis padres los escribieron Verny. Porque asi suena en español. No hay diferencias entre la “V” y la “B”.

En tus propias palabras, como describirias tu musica?
Mi musica es alegre y para todos los gustos. Para el romantico, el bailador y tambien tiene un mensanje en sus letras

Tu musica es exclusivamente en español o tambien en ingles?
Por ahora si pero quiero grabar mas adelante en Ingles.

Como te han tratado la gente desde que comensastes en tu carera musical?
He recibido muy buenos tratos como tambien malos. Muchas promesa de productores, disqueras. Muchas puertas he tocado. Pero estas cosas no han hecho que me rinda. Por el contrario me dan mas energia para lograr lo que propongo

Algunos projectos nuevos, demos, videos o cualguier otra cosa para el año 2005?
Estoy terminando mi Segundo video de la cancion “He vuelto amar” que es numero uno en Cali-Colombia. Y empiezo un tour con la compañia Thievey corporation,

Adonde pueden ir para escuchar tu musica en el internet?
www.vernymusic.com

Adonde pueden comprar copias del disco?
www.vernymusic.com

Como promueves tu musica y website?
Mi musica la promueve con los DJs. Son mi mejores herramientas de promocion. Soy indenpendiente y no tengo el dinero para pagar la payola.

Cual estasiones de radio estan presentemente tocando tu musica?
Las estaciones comunitarias como WPFW. Y las emisoras en Cali

Que esperas lograr antes de terminar el año 2005?
Tener mi Segundo disco listo. Componer, hacer los arreglos musicales para asi poder ir a grabar.

Cual es tu direccion oficial del internet?
www.vernymusic.com

Como la gente se puede contactar contigo para mas informacion o contrato?
En mi pagina www.vernymusic.com

Hay algo que quieres dicir al publico o a otros musicos?
Muchas gracias por su apoyo. Y a los musicos que sigamos haciendo musica original para que nuestra cultura no se estanque.

Discografia:
1 album como solista. (Salsa)
3 Albums con Thievery Corporation (Fusion)
1 Album con Orquesta Broadway (Charanga)
1 album con 51st state (Hip Hop)

Hay algo mas que quieres dicir?
Gracias por permitirme expresar. Escribanme por favor a mi e-mail. Y recuerden ayuda a tu hermano no seas indiferente, y se tolerante. Gracias