Andy Vargas, David de la Garza

Having cut his teeth in the big-time music business by joining icon Carlos Santana's band during the Supernatural tour, ­California-born vocalist Andy Vargas recently got a lot of exposure for — alongside the Black Eyed Peas' Taboo and the original composer George Pajon Jr. — "Si Se Puede," the Spanish version of "Yes We Can," the unstoppable hit inspired by President-elect Barack Obama's eponymous 2007 speech. Vargas's father was a mariachi singer who introduced his son not only to his native music but also to American artists like Marvin Gaye and Tower of Power, and both genres influenced the younger Vargas greatly. Steering Vargas's ad hoc all-star band is La Mafia's David de la Garza, who will be adding some dance elements in addition to the norteño music his Houston-based band has helped to revive since its inception in 1986. Together, Vargas and de la Garza add up to a great New Year's Eve alternative for those into pop en español.