Stupar (ed.)-Masters of the Marimba

Masters of the Marimba is one of the most substantive books ever written about the instrument. Rather than a broad list, this is a focused, deliberately curated collection of nine in-depth interviews and two historical chapters on the players who have done the most to shape the marimba as a serious concert instrument. If you care about where the marimba has been and where it's going, this book belongs on your shelf.

A Book Built Around Real Criteria

The editorial team behind Masters of the Marimba didn't just pick the most famous names. Each featured artist was evaluated against three specific standards: a sustained career as a soloist that reached beyond percussion-only audiences, a documented contribution to the permanent marimba repertoire through commissioning or composing, and a multi-generational impact through teaching, recordings, or performance. That framework gives this book a credibility that similar collections often lack. The nine artists interviewed are Abe, Burritt, Klimasara, Sammut, Stevens, Stout, van Sice, Zeltsman, and Živković. These are the conversations you actually want to read.

The Historical Chapters

Two chapters step back from interview format to offer historical context on Clair Omar Musser and Vida Chenoweth, two figures whose influence on the modern marimba landscape is hard to overstate. Musser essentially put the concert marimba on the map in the early 20th century, and Chenoweth's ethnomusicological work and solo performing career helped establish the instrument's credibility in the wider classical world. Having dedicated chapters on both gives this book a depth that students and educators will find genuinely useful.

Masters of the Marimba Highlights

• 9 in-depth interviews with leading marimbists
• Featured artists: Abe, Burritt, Klimasara, Sammut, Stevens, Stout, van Sice, Zeltsman, and Živković
• Historical chapters on Clair Omar Musser and Vida Chenoweth
• Artists selected based on career longevity, repertoire contributions, and pedagogical influence
• Beautifully printed, full color book with soft cover. Perfect for the percussion library or coffee table.