Wilfrido Radamés Vargas Martínez (Spanish pronunciation: [wilˈfɾiðo ˈβaɾɣas]; born April 24, 1949 in Altamira, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic) is a bandleader, trumpeter, vocalist, arranger, composer and producer who was instrumental in making the merengue style a worldwide phenomenon.
He was surrounded by musical influences; namely, his father Ramón, 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.