Baja Marimba Band
In 1963 Herb Alpert offered Julius Wechter his own group. "We were like the Tijuana Brass' bad little brothers. Herb and his group would dress in tuxedos and put on a tight, professional presentations. And we'd flop on stage in big sombreros and old clothes with big pasted-on mustaches, smoking cigars and drinking," Julius Wechter told Todd Everett.
BAJA MARIMBA BAND SESSIONOGRAPHY
| JANUARY 6, 1964 | GOLD STAR STUDIOS |
|---|---|
| Baja Nights Charade Maria Elena Up Cherry Street | Herb Alpert Russell Bridges--piano Lyle Ritz--bass Jerry Williams--percussion Laurindo Almeida--guitar Ray Pohlman--bass Hal Blaine--drums Tommy Tedesco--guitar John Lowe--windwoods Frank Capp--percussion Julius Wechter--marimba |
| JANUARY 9, 1964 | GOLD STAR STUDIOS |
|---|---|
| Acapulco 1922 En Quarto I Told You So Lonely Little Lover Lost Moonglow Samba de Orpheu | Herb Alpert Russell Bridges--piano Lyle Ritz--bass Jerry Williams--percussion Laurindo Almeida--guitar Ray Pohlman--bass Larry Bunker--percussion John Lowe--woodwinds Hal Blaine--drums Tommy Tedesco--guitar Julius Wechter--marimba |
| JANUARY 17, 1964 | WESTERN RECORDERS |
|---|---|
| Maria's First Rose Pedro's Porch (Part 2) | Bob Edmondson--trombone Richard Hurwitz--trumpet Dave Wells--trombone Anthony Terran--trumpet |
"Comin' In the Back Door" sold over 100,000 copies by April 1964. At the same time Billboard ranked the Baja Marimba Band at its #7 Instrumental Group and #10 Band in its disc jockey poll, Radio Programming Guide.
In 1964, San Francisco radio station KSFO held a contest asking listeners to tell them in up to 25 words why Herb Alpert should write a song for them. Wincle Lamoyan Coan's entry was to ask that his name be the title of a song. Sub-titled "A KSFO Fan" it became the B side of "Comin' In the Back Door" and Wincle also received one percent of the royalties on net sales.
In January 1966, Billboard predicted that "How Much Is That Doggie in the Window" would reach its Hot 100 singles chart. Its album For Animals Only entered the Billboard Top LP's chart on January 8, 1966. It peaked at #108 on March 5, 1966.
"The Portuguese Washerwoman" from the Watch Out album peaked at #15 on Billboard's Easy Listening Chart on April 2, 1966. It was also #126 Bubbling Under the Hot 100 on April 2. The song recharted on Easy Listening on October 1, 1966 and peaked at #15 on October 22, 1966. Watch Out was a Billboard New Action Album with National Breakout in November 1966.
"Ghost Riders in the Sky" entered Billboard's Easy Listening Chart at #39 on November 26, 1966.
In October 1966, A&M Records announced the first annual mustache contest to promote the Baja Marimba Band. The contest was open to A&M distributors who not only grew mustaches they answered, "I am growing this mustache in tribute to the Baja Marimba Band and what they stand for because...."
For Animals Only entered the Billboard Top LP chart on May 14, 1966 at #145.
In 1966, the Baja Marimba Band played at the White House staff Christmas party.
In June 1967 Julius Wechter re-signed a long-term contract with A&M Records.
The Baja Marimba Band was Billboard's #43 Top Album Artist of 1967.
The second annual Baja Marimba Band Moustache contest was judged by A&M artists Claudine Longet and Liza Minnelli and Mrs. Burt Bacharach (Angie Dickinson). This time the contest was opened to distributors, rack jobbers, one stops, retailers and radio stations.
In 1968, the Baja Marimba Band was Billboard's #31 Top Easy Listening Artist; its #30 top jazz artist in its Tops On Collegiate Racks, and its #21 Best Selling Instrumental Artists in its Top Artists On Campus.
In January 1970 A&M announced that upcoming public appearances by the Baja Marimba Band were canceled. Two members had medical issues that required at least two months of rest.
The Greatest Hits album of 1970 were the most requested songs from radio play and concerts.
In 1971 Billboard reported the members of the Baja Marimba Band to be Julius Wechter, Roger Kellaway, Michael Hollander, Chuck Domanico, Emil Richards, Tommy Tedesco, Jim Keltner, Jose Soares, Pete Jolly and Mike Lang. All of these men had been part of the recording sessions by the Baja Marimba Band over the years.
When the Baja Marimba Band left A&M Records in 1973, it had sold more than three million albums and singles according to Billboard, March 10, 1973.
- Big Bats in Latin Hits. Billboard, April 4, 1964.
- A&M 'Greatest Hits' LPs Due This Month. Record World, February 14, 1970.
- Marimbas Lead Latin Jazz Sextet in Santa Monica Performance. Todd Evertt. Music Notebook.
| Name | Member Years | Instruments |
|---|---|---|
| Bernie Fleischer | flute, piccolo, alto flute | |
| Bud Coleman | guitar, mandolin | |
| Charlie Chiarenza | guitar, mandolin | |
| Curry Tjader | bass marimba, percussion | |
| Dave Wells | trombone, bass trombone | |
| Frank DeCaro | rhythm guitar | |
| Frank Devito | drums, vocals | |
| Julius Wechter | 1963-1970 | marimba |
| Lee Katzman | trumpet | |
| Mel Pollan | Fender bass |
| Name | Birth | Death |
|---|---|---|
| Bernie Fleischer | 1931-11-10 | 2014-11-03 |
| Bud Coleman | 1921-07-07 | 1967-05-26 |
| Charlie Chiarenza | 1930-04-13 | 2013-03-14 |
| Curry Tjader | 1933-10-23 | 2001-01-16 |
| Dave Wells | ||
| Frank DeCaro | 1939-12-06 | |
| Frank Devito | 1930-08-14 | 2024-01-22 |
| Julius Wechter | 1935-05-10 | 1999-02-01 |
| Lee Katzman | 1928-05-17 | 2013-08-01 |
| Mel Pollan | 1931-06-13 |
| Name | See associated acts |
|---|---|
| Julius Wechter | Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Julius Wechter |
| Lee Katzman | Terry Gibbs Dream Band |
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