Guatemala’s music brings together Maya and European traditions, with the marimba holding a central place alongside classical, folk, and contemporary popular styles. These examples pair singer-songwriters Ricardo Arjona and Gaby Moreno with the marimba standard “Luna de Xelajú.”
The music of Guatemala is diverse and is heard throughout the country in religious processions, public celebrations and everyday life. The marimba occupies an especially important place in Guatemalan traditional music, with its documented use in the Americas dating to the seventeenth century. Guatemala also possesses a centuries-old art-music tradition extending from early liturgical chant and polyphony to contemporary composition. Modern Guatemalan music includes rock, pop, hip hop, reggaeton, salsa, merengue and other styles. Among the country’s best-known popular performers is singer-songwriter Ricardo Arjona.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia’s “Music of Guatemala” article.
Ricardo Arjona and Gaby Moreno bring together two internationally known Guatemalan singer-songwriters.
“Luna de Xelajú” performed on marimba provides a powerful cultural anchor in Guatemala’s national musical tradition.