RS juggernaut hits Montreal (March 2008)

A Canadian named Adam O'Callaghan, based in Montreal, has embarked on the obsessive pursuit of an ambitious, unprecedented cross-genre concert tribute to Raymond Scott. The production is six weeks away. Some basics:

RAYMOND SCOTT CENTENNIAL TRIBUTE CONCERT
An interdisciplinary student production celebrating eccentric composer, inventor and bandleader Raymond Scott (1908-1994), in observance of this year's centennial. The concert features participants (70+) from the Concordia University Jazz and Electroacoustic Studies programs (with special guests) recreating material from all periods of Scott's prolific career. Includes novelties from his 1930's and 1940's chamber-jazz quintets; overlooked orchestral works from his 1940s dance/concert bands; and selections from his after-the-cool Secret Seven ensembles. Also, performed for the first time in public, works from the groundbreaking electronic releases Soothing Sounds for Baby and Manhattan Research Inc. (In the electronica phrase of his career, Scott worked primarily in audio labs, not onstage.)

The show will also feature world premieres of Scott obscurities, as well as choreography by students in Dance, Theatre and other Concordia University Faculty of Fine Arts departments. The program is being produced with the cooperation of the Raymond Scott Archives and RaymondScott.com.

The spectacle takes place March 12 in the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall at Concordia University. Tickets available here.