Jairo's story begins in the vibrant heart of San Francisco's Mission District, where the rhythm of life is as varied and lively as the streets themselves. The youngest of three children in a family of El Salvadoran immigrants, Jairo was immersed in a world filled with music, language and culture. His mother, Evelyn Vargas and father, Jorge Vargas, who worked tirelessly for 45 years as a bellman at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco, ensured that their children had every opportunity they could provide. 

Growing up, Jairo's family was tight-knight with his grandma, a former athlete from El Salvador who had come to the United States years before the rest of the family, at the center of it all. Spanish, English and the various sounds of his heritage were the backdrop to his early years. During this time, Jairo's parents were determined to give their children the best education they could find. Jairo attended Cathedral School for Boys in Nob Hill, a private K-8 elementary school. As one of the only Latino students in many of his classes in school, it gave him a unique perspective that helped him adapt to different ethnic groups and become a bridge between worlds. 

After grade school, Jairo attended Sacred Heart Cathedral. It was here that he discovered himself and developed into his true self. It as during this time at SHC, that he was given the opportunity to explore his identity, passions, and talents without undue pressure or constraints, where Jairo could start carving out his own path, particularly in terms of his musical interests and personal development. 

The Spark of Music

Music has always been a part of his life. Jairo's older brother, George, was a star member of the Grace Cathedral Boys Choir, and his great-aunts were musicians. He was constantly exposed to the sounds of violins, cellos and violas, often at the Capp Street Music Conservatory in the Mission District, where his aunts practiced. Jairo also participated in musicals and singing classes during all his years at the Cathedral School for Boys. Music was truly woven into the fabric of his life, but it was high school that his passion for music took off. 

Jairo's path to music in high school was almost accidental. Jairo, who was a four-year soccer player, shifted his focus from athletics to music. His high school years coincided with a growing interest in performing and producing music. On weekends, a friend, Troy Farol '98, who later became a DJ, introduced him to the world of freestyle rapping on weekends an experience that lite a fire within him. They would record mixtapes on old boomboxes, experimenting with beats and lyrics. At the same time, Jairo was discovering his love for singing, but it was never quite the focus. 

It wasn't until Jairo's freshmen year at San Francisco State University that his degenerative vision, diagnosed when he was nine years old, grew worse. During a conversation with an assistant SFSU Men's Soccer coach after a tryout, the coach mentioned he should get his eyes checked out by a doctor. Jairo knew that his degenerative vision loss was progressing faster than he had anticipated when he walked off the soccer field that day. Despite the harsh realization, on that very same day the trajectory of his life changed. Jairo encountered his future bandmates, Mala Fama, a local band from the Mission District, who were playing traditional salsa music from the 1970s in the SFSU quad. Mala Fama then introduced Jairo to Loco Bloco, a local music program that promotes the healthy transition into adulthood for San Francisco youth by engaging them in the creation and performance of music, dance and theater rooted in Afro-Latinx traditions. This introduction to Loco Bloco solidified his commitment to music and giving back to the community. From that moment on, there was no turning back. With the band members through Mala Fama and Loco Bloco, Jairo went on to learn extensively about salsa music, Puerto Rican music, folkloric music, African drumming, Northern Brazilian music and percussion. Being a member of Mala Fama, and the program Loco Bloco allowed him to participated in cultural exchange programs all over the country and the world, and his first performance ever was the Tito Puente's Tribute at the Bill Graham Auditorium in San Francisco. Jairo truly believed with his soccer career ending and his professional music career beginning that it was one door closing and another door opening. 

Love, Leadership, and Legacy

Sacred Heart Cathedral not only opened the door to self discovery, it also introduced Jairo to the love of his life—Alida Maria Gyulai Vargas ’00. They met his sophomore year, and he knew once he met her that his world had shifted. Their bond, rooted in shared values and experiences, would become the cornerstone of his adult life. Jairo and Alida are now married with two beautiful children and live in the Glen Park neighborhood in San Francisco. 

Sports also played a vital role in his development. Jairo was an active member of the Sacred Heart Cathedral soccer team, where he learned the value of teamwork, discipline and leadership. These qualities would later translate to his work as a musician and bandleader. He even applied this philosophy to a band he started in 2001 after leaving Mala Fama, Bayonics. Jairo attributes much of Bayonics success to the lessons he learned during his time on the field and in the classroom at SHC. 

Teachers like Janet Shapiro, Christine Knight, Mario Dell’Olio, Cathy Ronan and Coach Jeff Wilson shaped his understanding of what it meant to work hard, be humble and always give your best. His music appreciation teacher, Dell'Olio, played a particularly influential role, encouraging him to explore his musical abilities. His leadership classes also helped him witness the power of service and the importance of uplifting others. 

Giving Back to the Community

Jairo's commitment to service began early, inspired by his parents' example of hard work and the community-oriented values he learned at SHC through service-learning trips to the St. Anthony's Foundation and Glide Memorial Church. His commitment to service continued after high school as he volunteered around the globe with Loco Bloco. He also worked for four years as an after school program site coordinator through the Stonestown YMCA at different public elementary schools around San Francisco helping children with both academics and sports. 

Jairo left the public education sector to finish college and started working at Red Bull in marketing. But after four years at Red Bull, he realized that his true calling lay in music, education and community service. He returned to his roots, working with youth in the after-school program at Glen Park Elementary, a role he has held since 2007. It was here that he began to integrate his love for music into his work with children, bringing the art of play and creativity into their lives. His approach was not just about teaching music—it was about nurturing the whole child, cultivating empathy and giving children the tools to express themselves. Even when he started losing his vision in 2009, Jairo was determined not to let it stop him. He approached the new principal at Glen Park Elementary, suggesting they start a band program. The principal gave him the green light, and with donated instruments from families, the after-school music program began. A year and a half later Jairo got the band program running, a representative from the program Music Will (formerly called Little Kids Rock) visited Glen Park Elementary and provided Jairo and his afterschool band with additional equipment and free training for all the music teachers at the school. 

Another after-school program that Jairo is very proud of at Glen Park Elementary is his weekly percussion class that he teaches every Wednesday. The program, founded in 2019, utilizes 45 drums, including multiples types of West African drums, for the students to learn how to play percussion. The types of percussion that Jairo teaches include hip-hop, funk, Brazilian and West African. 

His work at Glen Park was more than just teaching music; it was about creating a sense of community. Much like his own upbringing, where family was everything, Jairo's mission was to create a space where children could come together, support one another and express themselves through music and art. 

Words of Wisdom for the Next Generation 

As he reflects on his journey, Jairo offers advice to the next generation of students at Sacred Heart Cathedral. He encourages them to follow their passion and to trust the process. In a world that often values instant gratification, he reminds them that true growth comes from hard work, dedication, and embracing the mistakes along the way. 

"Be humble, do what you love, and stick to the process," he says. "That's how you grow. It's not about the outcome but about the journey. And remember, humility will always humble you."

Jairo's story is one of resilience, passion and dedication. It's the story of a young man who faced significant challenges but found his rhythm, both in life and in music. From the Mission District to the band room in Glen Park Elementary, he continues to inspire others by leading with love and service, showing that the true measure of success lies in the impact you have on others and the legacy you leave behind.