XYLOPHONIA celebrates
the golden age of the xylophone from c.1900 until c. 1930, and especially the music of George Hamilton Green,
the greatest xylophone virtuoso of his time. Green was also a prolific
composer, arranger and recording artist, and a hugely influential teacher and
instrument designer. Along with his brother Joseph Green, and other great
xylophonists such as Sammy Herman, Harry Breuer and Red Norvo, George Hamilton
Green made the xylophone a favorite and much-respected presence on both the
concert and vaudeville stages.
XYLOPHONIA is a group of 5 professional percussionists who
perform these famous ragtime xylophone solos accompanied by four players on two
marimbas. (The group takes its name from the title of one of Joseph Green’s
famous compositions.) We also include some “musical surprises” on our concerts
– classical music, folk music, jazz, traditional Mexican and Guatemalen music –
pieces that help to showcase the history and diversity of our instruments.