Tito Puente Latin Music Series: Barbara Zamora Vargas

Created in honor of Latin music icon Tito Puente, this series celebrates years of bringing live Latin music with a strong salsa influence to Boston parks.  The series is sponsored in part by:

• Berklee College Music
• Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion
• Free salsa lessons are led by MetaMovements

Barbara Zamora Vargas is a Cuban singer and songwriter renowned for her versatility and distinguished career in music. She graduated from the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA) in Havana, Cuba, specializing in choral conducting under the guidance of esteemed instructors like Linda Mirabal, Zenaida Castro Romeu, and María Felicia Pérez.

In 1992, Vargas joined the legendary Cuban female orchestra Anacaona, where she has remained as a lead singer ever since. With Anacaona, she has performed on global stages and participated in numerous prestigious festivals, including Nuits D'Afrique in Montreal, Sunfest in London, Aruba’s International Jazz Festival, and Salsa al Parque in Bogotá, Colombia. Her work with Anacaona also saw her perform in the musical theater production El Burgués Gentilhombre, which was showcased at the Chaillot Theatre in Paris, the Metropolitan Hall in Mexico City, and the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco.

Vargas's career extends far beyond Anacaona. She has contributed as a backup singer in several notable productions, including the Latin Grammy-winning La Rumba Soy Yo in 2001, Isaac Delgado’s Versos en el Cielo, and Control by Manolito y su Trabuco. As a soloist, she has performed in prestigious events like the Adolfo Guzmán and OTI contests, as well as the Benny Moré Festival.

In 2011, Vargas launched her solo career with the release of Mi Entrega, an album that showcases her songwriting talents across a variety of genres, including bolero, son, blues, salsa, cha-cha-cha, danzón, and fusion. Her work continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, marking her as a significant figure in Latin music.