Crystal Vargas
New Jersey native Crystal Vargas came by her love of percussion naturally and early. "I started playing around the age of four," she says. "My dad, Glen Vargas, is a bass player, and whenever his band would rehearse at our house I'íd bang on the congas and bongos any chance I got. I just loved the sound!"
Crystal continued developing her percussion skills through her teenage years, eventually getting the opportunity to perform with professional bands and artists in the NYC/New Jersey area. Her first high-visibility gig came in 2008, when she was hired to play percussion on live appearances by Latin pop sensation Kat DeLuna. "I was hired to play with Kat under the direction of Robert Aaron for about a year. I had met Robert earlier, when he performed with Wyclef Jean at my alma mater, Rutgers University. I sneaked backstage and got chance to play that night! I've been friends with Robert ever since."
While touring with Kat Deluna, Crystal appeared on the "Live With Regis And Kelly" TV show, as well as at the 50th Grammy Anniversary Concert, a benefit show for the Jorge Posada Foundation, and a number of private events.
More recently Crystal recorded two tracks on congas for Wyclef Jean'ís upcoming album, If I Were President: The Haitian Experience. She also made an appearance playing buckets on Universal recording artist Jackson Harris'ís video for "Long Story Short." And she appeared on Rihanna's latest video for "What's My Name?"
