Thursday, September 10, 2009

Raymond Scott 101:
Happy Birthday

Today is the 101st anniversary of Raymond Scott's birth. But before we eat cake & ice cream, let's review some basics for the kids who were late to class.
Q: When was Raymond Scott born?
A: On September 10, 1908.

Q: Is Raymond Scott still alive?
A: He passed away in 1994 at the age of 85.

Q: Did Raymond Scott write music for cartoons?
A: No, but 20 of his compositions have been immortalized in countless classic animations, from BUGS BUNNY to THE SIMPSONS.

Q: Did BOB MOOG, the inventor of Moog Synthesizers, work for Raymond Scott?
A: Although Bob Moog was more than 25 years younger than Raymond, they were professional colleagues & friends for nearly two decades. Bob acknowledged Ray as an early influence during the 1950s & '60s. Details about Scott-Moog connections here.

Q: Was Johnny Williams, drummer for the 1930s Raymond Scott Quintette, related to JOHN WILLIAMS, the famous film score composer of music for JAWS, STAR WARS, INDIANA JONES, HARRY POTTER, etc.?
A: Yes, they are father & son.

Q: Did Raymond Scott work for MOTOWN?
A: During the 1950s & '60s, Scott perfected his 'Electronium,' an electronic music machine which attracted the attention of Motown owner Berry Gordy, who purchased an Electronium for Motown in September 1970. Scott then became Motown's Director of Electronic Research and Development for several years. Following a serious heart attack in 1977, Scott retired from Motown at age 69.

Q: I've heard that Raymond Scott worked with MUPPETS creator JIM HENSON. Fact or fiction?
A: Henson was more than a quarter-century younger than Scott when they met in the mid-1960s, and they collaborated on experimental art films, industrial reels, and TV projects. Many of the Scott-Henson collaborations are showcased in the 2-CD/144-page book package MANHATTAN RESEARCH INC.

HOMEWORK & FURTHER STUDY:

OK, now it's time for the birthday party!

3 comments:

  1. Happy century + 1, Harry! We're having a party to celebrate. We ... er, what's that? You can't stay? Have to get back to your lab? Wait ...!!!!!

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  2. I will compose a celebratory piece commemorating the one hundreth and first birthday of the man who made the toons swing. I shall call it Celebratory Piece Commemorating the One Hundreth and First Birthday of the Man Who Made the Toons Swing.

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  3. Happy Birthday Raymond!

    oddly, one of the banks of the electronium can now be powered up. A very small step, but quite a coincidence!

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