Joe Green

Early jazz and dance band drummer, vibraphonist, xylophone player (born February 9, 1892 in Omaha, Nebraska – died October 16, 1939 in Manhattan, New York, New York)

Former members of Sousa’s band, Joe and his younger brother George Hamilton Green (1893–1970) were both masters of the xylophone, as well as its close cousin, the marimba. In 1918, they and their younger brother, banjo player Lew Green (1909–1992), accompanied by trumpet, trombone, and tuba, formed the Green Brothers' Xylophone Orchestra, which recorded for Okeh. Joe became the band's business manager and booking agent. In 1919, he and his brothers adopted the name Green Brothers' Novelty Band. With this band, they recorded not just for Okeh, but also for Okeh, Okeh, Okeh, and Okeh, and many other, smaller labels. Starting in 1922, they often recorded as Green Brothers' Marimba Orchestra. Their band frequently also used aliases such as The Xylo-Rimba Orchestra, Joe Green And His Novelty Orchestra, and Klein's Serenading Shoemakers. With Joe's early death, the band fell apart.