IMperial Marimba Band,  “Blue Bird Inspiration”

One hundred years ago today … the Imperial Marimba Band recorded “Blue Bird Inspiration” at Edison Studios at 79 5th Avenue. Click the image below to listen at the Discography of American Historical Recordings,

The original Imperial Marimba Band on Edison Records was a Guatemalan group that had made numerous recordings between 1916 and 1918, helping touch off a marimba fad.

Note: We previously wrote about the popularity of marimba music in our June 1, 1921 post about the Blue and White Marimba Band.

According to David Paul Eyler, the 1922 Imperial Marimba Band was different, likely a project of George Hamilton Green and Joe Green (Eyler 76). The Nebraskan-born brothers recorded frequently for Edison under different names, contributing to and benefiting off the marimba music fad.

Further reading:

Eyler, David Paul, "The History and Development of the Marimba Ensemble in the United States and Its Current Status in College and University Percussion Programs (Musser)." (1985). LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses. 4091.

– Jonathan Goldman, Jan. 3, 2022

TAGS: music, records, ethnic music, world music, Latin music, appropriation