Héctor Varela

Salustiano Paco Varela (29 January 1914 – 30 January 1987), known professionally as Héctor Varela and by his nickname “El as del tango” (The Ace of Tango), was an Argentine bandoneonist, composer, arranger, and bandleader. Born in Avellaneda, Buenos Aires, he studied accounting but devoted his career to music, studying bandoneon at the conservatory of maestro Eladio Blanco. Varela began performing professionally in 1929 at age 16, playing with Salvador Grupillo’s orchestra before joining Juan D’Arienzo’s celebrated ensemble in 1934, where he served as lead bandoneon and arranger for approximately ten years, composing over twenty pieces recorded by D’Arienzo. In 1950, Varela established his independent orchestra, recording initially for Pampa Records with pianists César Zagnoli and vocalists including Armando Laborde, Rodolfo Lesica, and Argentino Ledesma—pairings that achieved significant commercial success. His compositions include “Lilián,” “Te espero en Rodríguez Peña,” “Bien pulenta,” “Chichipía,” “Noches de Brasil,” “Historia de un amor,” and “Fumando espero.” Throughout his long career, Varela’s orchestra recorded 383 tracks across multiple labels including Columbia and RCA Víctor. He appeared on the television program “Grandes Valores del Tango” during the 1960s–1970s and made a cinematic appearance in 1979’s La carpa del amor. Varela remained beloved by dancers and popular audiences throughout his life, embodying the traditional tango style oriented toward the dance hall rather than experimental innovation.