Wilfrido Radam�s Vargas Mart�nez is a bandleader, trumpeter, vocalist, arranger, composer and producer who was instrumental in making the merengue style a worldwide phenomena. He was surrounded by musical influences; namely, his father Ram�n, an accordionist and guitarist, and his mother Bienvenida, a flute player and guitarist. Vargas began his musical studies early, attending the Municipal Academy of Music beginning at age 10. He has been a trumpeter and a vocalist, but has also arranged, composed, and led his band, and is also a producer. 

April 24th, 1949 in Altamira, Puerto Plata (Age 75)