Baja Marimba Band

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The Baja Marimba Band was a musical group led by marimba player Julius Wechter. Wechter, who'd composed the song Spanish Flea for Herb Alpert, was encouraged to form his own group for Alpert and partner Jerry Moss' A&M Records, and in 1964 the Baja Marimba Band was born, using session men to supplement Wechter. These musicians included, at one time or another, Dave Wells, Lee Katzman, Bernie Fleischer, Bud Coleman and Curry Tjader (the brother of Cal Tjader). The band hit the charts with its first single "Comin' in the Back Door" and recorded about a dozen LPs for A&M, as well as being Alpert's support act. The act drew some criticism from Mexican-American advocacy groups because they'd appeared onstage dressed in sombreros, old clothes, with fake mustaches, smoking cigars and drinking beer - all rather stereotypical Mexican behavior. This "bad boy" image appeared in goofy group photos on their album covers, and added a comedic allure. Seen by many as a marketing gimmick, the group rode the wake created by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, and Sergio Mendez and Brasil '66 in the musically fertile mid 60's. The albums were cross marketed successfully by A&M, images of Baja Marimba Band albums appearing on the record sleeves of other A&M products. All three acts were the staple of A&M during this period.The content was considered "adult contemporary" or "easy listening" and consisted mainly of standards and pop covers. By the late 60's this type of music had run it's course, and seemingly all three acts faded away. The group splintered in the 1970s, before reuniting for a comeback album in 1986.