“Each one has things to remember and many stories to tell.”
— Ensamble Vientos del Sur “Historias Que Contar”
Hugo Macario, a talented Latin fusion musician, teacher at Anacapa School and music director of the Son Jarocho Ensemble at UC Santa Barbara, passed away unexpectedly in Santa Barbara on May 9, 2021. Born Aug. 15, 1965, he was 55.
Throughout his 15 years on the teaching faculty at Anacapa School in Santa Barbara, Hugo taught all levels of Spanish, founded the school’s music education program, counseled students and their families and coached athletics.
He was a fixture in the Santa Barbara Latin music scene, playing live original and traditional music with his band Ensamble Vientos del Sur (Winds of the South Ensemble). The group was best known for its consistent weekend performances on the patio at Carlitos Café y Cantina on State Street for nearly 30 years.