Verny Varela is an arranger, composer, singer and flutist. Born in Cali and raised in the "Barrio Obrero," home to some of the world’s most famous salsa musicians, Verny has had a lifelong love affair with music.Verny Varela started singing and playing with his father's band "El Nuevo Son" at age 15. He later went on to sing with Ismael Miranda, Adalberto Santiago and Pete "El Conde" Rodríguez, all members of the Fania All Stars, both in Cali and in Tulua, Colombia. In 1997, Verny became the lead singer in the Gabino Pampini Band, and later toured Europe and the U.S. with Tito Gomez. In 2004, Verny released his album "Amar de Nuevo.” Songs like "Matilde" and "He Vuelto Amar" became hits in Cali. 2008, Verny co-wrote, arranged and released his second album "Gracias." Songs like “Soy Latino” and “Pa’l mundo” were featured on this album. In 2012, Verny released his third album “Evolución” which featured Eddie Zervigon from the Orquesta Broadway as well as other prominent salsa musicians from Cali, Colombia. This album was produced by La Tropa Records from Cali. Verny has been nominated three times for the Washington Area Music Award (Wammie) and collaborated with different artists as a singer, composer and arranger. Verny wrote and recorded for ESL Music on Thievery Corporation's albums "The Richest Man in Babylon", "The Cosmic Game” and "Radio Retaliation." Verny sang on the 40th Anniversary CD of the outstanding charanga band, Orquesta Broadway,in New York City. Verny Varela has performed at some of the most important venues and festivals; such as the Lincoln Memorial, The Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Museums, Embassy of Colombian, Embassy of Panama, III World Salsa Festival in Lima, Peru, the Petronio Alvarez Festival and Feria de La Caña de Azucar in Cali, Colombia. He holds a bachelor's degree in music from the Universidad del Valle in Colombia and a master’s degree in arts with a concentration in Afro-Hispanic Studies from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Healso studied jazz at the University of District of Columbia. Currently, Verny Varela teaches at Howard University.