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Crystal Vargas
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. See youtube clip below. More recently Crystal recorded two tracks on congas for Wyclef Jean’s upcoming album, If I Were President: The Haitian Experience. She also made an appearance playing buckets on Universal recording artist Jackson Harris’s video for “Long Story Short.” And she appeared on Rihanna's latest video for “What's My Name?” When it comes to her selection of Toca percussion instruments, Crystal is enthusiastic and specific. “I use Pete Escovedo Signature Timbales, and Toca Congas and Bongos,” she says. "I particularly like those instruments because their sound is crisp. I never changed my skins on my instruments, which most players tend to do for live playing. They’ll opt for synthetic heads on their drums to get a brighter sound and more projection. But the original Toca natural skins provide me with a fat, crisp sound that suits my playing style."
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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’d bang on the congas and bongos any chance I got. I just
loved the sound!”