"Soundasaurus Festival" in Calgary featuring The Clavivox

Q: What is the Soundasaurus Festival?

A: "SOUNDASAURUS is an organized cacophony of experimental music, sound, performance and visual art. This is a multisensory festival rocking the Epcor Centre in conjunction with High Performance Rodeo, Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts, the largest festival of its kind in Western Canada."

On Friday, January 7 at 7:30 pm, the new Raymond Scott documentary film, DECONSTRUCTING DAD, will be screened as a "community-building Soundasaurus preview event — part of a larger, month-long arts festival." Director Stan Warnow will attend and conduct a Q&A, followed by an up-close look at an early Raymond Scott keyboard synthesizer invention, The Clavivox, provided by Cantos Music Foundation. Details: here. And listen live to "The 2+2 Ain't 5 Show" on CJSW 90.9 FM at 2 pm, January 2, for an interview with Stan: CJSW.com

Powerhouse by Charles Nunzio (1941)

We offered free sheet music for a vintage accordion arrangement of Scott's "Powerhouse" by Charles Nunzio in January 2009, and in October we noted the death of the famed accordionist at the age of 97. Following the latter post, accordionist Zevy Zions of oliveblossoms.com contacted us about an unreleased recording of Mr. Nunzio (who taught Zions) performing "Powerhouse" in concert in 1941. With the permission of Mr. Zions, we've posted an mp3 for free download. It's quite an astonishing virtuoso rendition. Wilder than a polka! We asked about the derivation of the recording. Tape was not widely known or available in 1941, yet the recording does not reflect the surface noise and crackle characteristic of 78s. Zions explained:

It was captured on some sort of disc recorder. Yes, the quality is relatively good. The performance is off-the-cuff; he's not following the written music. He didn’t remember it when I played it for him a few years ago.

Mr. Nunzio was conferred a Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Accordionists Association in November 2004.

"Christmas Night" with Louis Armstrong

Christmas figured prominently in the early career of Raymond Scott (the son of immigrant Jews). He wrote his first hit, "Christmas Night In Harlem," in 1934 at age 25. During Xmas 1936, he debuted his soon-to-be world-famous band live on the Saturday Night Swing Club radio show. Two Christmases later, Paul Whiteman featured the Quintette, accompanied by PW's huge orchestra, performing Scott compositions at Carnegie Hall as part of the long-running Experiments In Modern American Music series where Whiteman had debuted Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue in 1924.

"Christmas Night In Harlem" was recorded as an instrumental in 1939 by Scott's Quintette. With lyrics by legendary Tin Pan Alley wordsmith Mitchell Parish, who co-wrote "Stardust," "Deep Purple," and another Yuletide standard, "Sleigh Ride," the tune was covered by Perry Como, Benny Carter, Johnny Mercer, Banu Gibson, The Beau Hunks, Clarence Williams, Paul Whiteman, Maria Muldaur, and Jack Teagarden. A new CD, 100 CHRISTMAS, presents Lester Lanin's version alongside classics by Bing Crosby, Willie Nelson, and Roy Orbison.

The most celebrated of all "Harlem" covers, however, is by Louis Armstrong, framed above alongside Scott during a 1938 CBS radio broadcast. Satchmo's recording is perennially reissued on holiday collections, including WHAT A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS.

Download The Metropole Orchestra's version of "Christmas Night In Harlem" from the CHESTERFIELD ARRANGEMENTS album here, as our holiday gift to you. And explore more of the many incarnations of Raymond Scott's earliest hit at Amazon.com or the iTunes Store.

Documentary Film DVD: Holiday Special

The new Raymond Scott documentary film, DECONSTRUCTING DAD, is temporarily available on DVD for a special price. In the spirit of the Holidays, director Stan Warnow is lowering the price to only $19.95, from now through January 2nd, 2011, to encourage gift-giving for the music geeks on your shopping list. Also, PayPal® orders are now available. Details: here

"America's Coolest Movie Theater"

"America's coolest movie theater" is the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, according to AOL.com. Find out why on December 13th during a screening of the new Raymond Scott documentary film, DECONSTRUCTING DAD, with director Stanley Warnow in person, as part of the "Music Monday Signature Series."

• Date/Time: Dec. 13th at 10:00pm
• Location:     
   The Ritz Theater; Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
   320 East 6th Street, Austin, Texas
• Details & Ticket info: here

Le Théâtre Rialto Presents Film & Live Music Event

This weekend there will be two screenings of the new Raymond Scott documentary film, DECONSTRUCTING DAD, at Montreal's historic Rialto Theatre, preceded by a mini-concert of Scott tunes performed by the Nouveau Raymond Scott Quintette. Director Stan Warnow will conduct a Q&A following the screening, and DJ Otis Fodder of The Bran Flakes will spin a Raymond Scott-themed set that will extend far past your bedtime. 2 nights only:

Friday, December 10 · 8:00pm

Saturday, December 11 · 8:00pm

The Rialto Theater

5723, Avenue du Parc

Montreal, QC, Canada

Hudson Valley Holiday

This weekend, on December 5th, at 2:00 pm, the West Point Band presents the "Hudson Valley Holiday" concert, with the New York Philharmonic Principal Brass Quintet. Raymond Scott compositions will be featured. This performance will take place at the Eisenhower Hall Theatre, on the West Point campus, New York, and is free and open to the public. Details: here — and watch new "Introducing QUINTETE 7" video: here

UPDATE — Band member Brian Broelmann adds: "The Quintette 7 will be starting at 2:00 in the lobby. The show with the NY Phil Brass Quintet will start at 3:00. Quintette 7 is kind of like the opening act, presenting some all new arrangements of holiday tunes as well as some Raymond Scott favorites. Don't miss it!"

D'oh!

Last night's new episode of THE SIMPSONS, "The Fool Monty," was the fourth to feature Raymond Scott's 1937 hit, "Powerhouse" (in this case, twice: once during the show, and again under the closing credits). Not surprising — in a list of series creator Matt Groening's "100 Favorite Things," Scott's classic tune is #14, outranking Stanley Kubrick movies and David Letterman. For those keeping score at home, or Hulu-hunting, the previous episodes were, "And Maggie Makes Three" (1995), "Bart Has Two Mommies" (2006), and "Little Big Girl" (2007).

Professor Elemental

The first single, "Fighting Trousers," from Professor Elemental's new album, THE INDIFFERENCE ENGINE is a hip-hop track based on sample-loops from Raymond Scott's 1937 classic, "Twilight In Turkey." See the video: here

"Brace yourself, as Professor Elemental fires off the first shot in a chap-hop/steampunk battle. A dis tune of the nefarious Mr B: The gentleman rhymer. Steampunk vs. chap-hop! Monkey Butlers vs. Moustaches! My erotic dance vs. a ukeleyle! It's on."

The music of Raymond Scott, John Williams, & Danny Elfman in Nottingham

Join the Nottingham University Wind Orchestra and Brass Ensemble in an evening celebrating all aspects of the silver screen: "Epic Melodies and Looney Tunes." The epic melodies of JOHN WILLIAMS's moving "Hymn to the Fallen" (from SAVING PRIVATE RYAN) and Hans Zimmer’s stirring portrait of noble sacrifice in GLADIATOR are counterbalanced by the sublime lunacy of RAYMOND SCOTT's "The Toy Trumpet," and "Powerhouse" — the music which launched a thousand cartoons — and Paul Hart’s blistering soundtrack to an imaginary cartoon, dished up with enormous wit and panache. Also featured will be DANNY ELFMAN's theme from THE SIMPSONS. Details: here

New LOONEY TUNES Songbook

The new LOONEY TUNES SONGBOOK features 5 Raymond Scott classics:

• "Dinner Music for a Pack of Hungry Cannibals"
• "In an 18th Century Drawing Room"
• "Powerhouse"
• "Reckless Night on Board an Ocean Liner"
• "The Toy Trumpet"

Order from: Amazon.com

New DVD: Raymond Scott Documentary Film

Stan Warnow, Director of the new Raymond Scott documentary film, DECONSTRUCTING DAD, is proud to announce a new DVD is now available to order. There are a substantial number of extra sequences on the disc, totaling approx. 20 minutes of bonus footage, including:

 • 2 bonus scenes featuring Mark Mothersbaugh, movie soundtrack composer and DEVO co-founder

 • Turntablist/producer/author DJ Spooky, aka Paul D. Miller

 • An exploration of the mysterious 1959 album THE UNEXPECTED by Raymond Scott & The Secret Seven, the all-star jazz legends supergroup whose identities remained confidential for decades

 • Tom Rhea, Ph.D (Berklee College of Music) explaining in great detail about Scott’s early keyboard synthesizer, the Clavivox

 • Moog synthesizer co-inventor, Herb Deutsch, who extends his recollections of Raymond Scott first telling him about the Electronium

Even if you’ve seen the documentary at public screenings, there’s a lot more to see and hear on the DVD (and you’ll be helping support the film). Order from Kunaki DVD: here — it is a Region-Free NTSC Video.

DE NUEVO EN EL INFIERNO

Madrid-based sextet Racalmuto have released a fantastic new CD titled DE NUEVO EN EL INFIERNO, featuring faithful renditions of seven classic Raymond Scott compositions from the 1930s-'40s:

• "Oil Gusher"

• "The Girl With The Light Blue Hair"

• "Birdlife In The Bronx"

• "Reckless Night on Board an Ocean Liner"

• "A Little Bit of Rigoletto"

• "Suicide Cliff"

• "Tobacco Auctioneer"

An eighth tune associated with (but not composed by) Scott, "Brass Buttons and Epaulets" (from the 1938 film Just Around the Corner), is also included, played in the RSQ arrangement. Other CD tracks include modern takes on vintage tunes by Ellington, Tchaikovsky, and Slim Gaillard, along with one original penned by group leader Miguel Malla.

CD artwork

CD cover artwork

Snip-Snap and Red Bull® Presents:Film & Music Tribute in Manchester

Snip-Snap Music & Red Bull® presents, "DECONSTRUCTING DAD: A NIGHT OF FILM & MUSIC CELEBRATING THE GENIUS OF RAYMOND SCOTT." 

This Sunday, director Stan Warnow will introduce the new Raymond Scott documentary, DECONSTRUCTING DAD, and conduct a Q&A. Following the screening, there will be live performances by GRAHAM MASSEY*, DENIS JONES, HENRIETA SMITH ROLLA, and others, and visual artists will provide moving image tributes.

*Aside from his electronic group 808 STATE, Graham Massey’s composing, remixing, and production list is a “who’s who” of contemporary music, including DAVID BOWIE, QUINCY JONES, BJÖRK, and GOLDFRAPP.

• Date/Time:
   November 7th
   5:00pm until 12-Midnight 
• Location:
   The Soup Kitchen; 31-33 Spear Street

   (Stevenson Square); Manchester, United Kingdom

Click image below for details:

Cartoon Jazz Septet Concert

The Cartoon Jazz project was launched in 2003 at the Stanford Jazz Festival with the revival of charts from the great American composer, Raymond Scott. Jeff Sanford tracked down many charts of the famous composer, written for 13-piece bands in public archives and private collector libraries. Members of his band have since been contributing new arrangements of Scott's music as well as other jazz pieces which have been used in cartoons.

Debut House concert of Jeff Sanford's Cartoon Jazz Septet will take place this Saturday, November 13th, from 3:00 to 5:00 (Two sets with intermission). Location: The House of John & Francie Raeside, 662 Kenwyn Rd. Oakland, California (cross street is Hillgirt).  Suggested Donation: $15, at the door.

Toy Story: Taki76 Strikes Back

Last year, I reported that funk/soul/electro artist Taki76 had created a stop-motion video featuring the Raymond Scott figurine, with a home-made doll of himself. Now, Taki has made this new 1-minute animated film to celebrate the recent DVD release of the documentary, DECONSTRUCTING DAD. See Taki's original vid: here

Charles Nunzio, R.I.P., 97

In January 2009, we offered a free pdf of Scott's "Powerhouse" arranged for accordion by Charles Nunzio. The offer still stands; just drop us an email.

Comes word now from a squeezebox aficionado that Mr. Nunzio passed away on October 19 at the age of 97 (obit here). Mr. Nunzio had a long and distinguished career, commencing with a 1933 debut recital at New York's Town Hall, followed by a performance at Carnegie Hall the following year. He co-founded the American Accordionists Association, and served in the Navy during World War II.

Following his discharge, Mr. Nunzio invented his own custom-designed accordion, the Nunziola (photo, R), and he held a patent on the Kuehl Free-Bass accordion (which he co-developed with William "Bud" Kuehl).

During an 80-year musical career, Nunzio was a composer, arranger, performer, teacher, inventor, and tireless proponent of his instrument. We're honored to keep his arrangement of Scott's most well-known composition in circulation for future generations of accordionists.

Here, the master discusses the 20th century evolution of his instrument.

Here, in 1990, as he approaches age 80, Nunzio performs a spirited solo rendition of "El Cumbanchero."

Live Tribute Concert in the UK

WIGAN Jazz Club's next concert celebrates the 'cartoon jazz' of Raymond Scott featuring Stu Brown's Raymond Scott Project.

The concert is on October 31st, from 12.30pm - 3.30pm (doors open at noon) at Whelley Ex-Servicemen's Club, Vauxhall Road, Wigan, WN13LU. Admission is £9 (£8.50 concessions, £8 members).

Further Information from Ian on 01942 243974 or Gordon on 01925 727408 or visit: www.wiganjazzclub.co.uk

The Quintette 7

The West Point Band has been developing a classic Raymond Scott Quintette repertoire for several years, with occasional live performances. They aren't just learning music from Scott—they're studying math. Raymond called his six-man group a "Quintette." The WPB's ensemble is the "Quintette 7." (FWIW, Scott's "Secret 7" band counted as many as a dozen players.)

The Q7 just released a CD, Quintette 7 Plays the Music of Raymond Scott. A Sunday afternoon CD launch recital takes place on October 24 at the Academy on the Hudson. It's open to the public, and a reception follows the performance. I've seen the band in concert, and they're terrific. They deliver over a dozen RSQ nuggets in a finely honed chamber-jazz fashion.

Carmel Art & Film Festival

Next Friday, October 8th, the new Raymond Scott documentary film, DECONSTRUCTING DAD, will be featured at the Carmel Art & Film Festival, in the greater San Francisco Bay area. Director Stan Warnow plans to attend and conduct a Q&A.

"John Cooper, Director of the SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL for the past 19 years, has signed on to curate the films for the event. Festival founder, Tom Burns, 'couldn't be more thrilled' that Cooper has joined the ranks of the board that includes other heavy hitters in the film industry such as Stone Phillips and Dina Eastwood. Juried fine art and photography exhibitions will open that weekend, with outdoor projection photography exhibits, art lectures, music, and fine wine and food all promising to attract art lovers from all corners. The combination of Carmel’s artistic heritage, the natural beauty, and the close proximity to Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose metropolitan areas make it the perfect location for a premiere art and film festival."

Click here to enter to win one of three, deluxe VIP trips, including hotel accommodations, CARMEL ART & FILM FESTIVAL passes, a gourmet dinner, a welcome gift bag with shopping gift card, and concierge assistance during the jam-packed festival, October 6–10.

14th Annual Miami Jazz Film Festival

Presented by 88.9FM WDNA Public Radio and Miami Dade College:

"The 14th Annual Miami Jazz Film Festival is an outreach activity to celebrate those artists that continue to leave an indelible mark in the fabric of our culture. It’s an education on how the uses of archival images and other filmmaking devices impact on the final product. It’s an education on how Jazz is visceral, transcendent, and transnational."

DECONSTRUCTING DAD, the new Raymond Scott documentary, will be featured on Saturday, October 2nd at 5PM, at the historic Tower Theater.

LA WEEKLY

Author John Payne recently reviewed the new Raymond Scott documentary film, DECONSTRUCTING DAD, in the Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper, the LA WEEKLY. Here's a brief excerpt:

"An enthralling film that tells the story of a truly pivotal figure in 20th-century music whose madly eclectic achievements remain largely obscure. An essential view inside the wonders of creative genius, American-style."

Don’t Overvalue The Present

LuvSound have released a new various artists collection of ambient music in tribute to Marc Weidenbaum, founder of Disquiet. Weidenbaum recently became a father, and the theme of the sampler is Raymond Scott's groundbreaking 1963 three-volume SOOTHING SOUNDS FOR BABY, which Marc declared one of the '16 albums that changed his life':

For a fan of electronic music, hearing this material by innovator Raymond Scott is akin to a comics fan discovering Windsor Mccay’s Little Nemo in Slumberland or Osamu Tezuka’s Phoenix for the first time. The lesson is simple: Don’t overvalue the present. Often the innovations of the past are simply overlooked and under-acknowledged.

Listen to or download the new album here.

Funk Soul Brother

Fatboy Slim is the stage name of Norman Cook, one of the most enduring and successful Pop/Big Beat musicians of the past 20 years. His numerous hits, and collaborations with artists such as David Byrne and Beastie Boys, have earned him the reputation as "the father of mainstream electronic music." Slim has just released five new tracks that he crafted using sample-loops from Raymond Scott's electronic soundtrack for the 1967 film, "The Paperwork Explosion" (directed by Muppet master Jim Henson). The two new EPs, which are collaborations with UK-based DJ/producer Hervé, are titled "Machines Can Do The Work," and "Machines Can Do The Work: Remixed." 

• Both the original, and the "Action Man aka Hervé Acid Mix" versions are available now from the iTunes music store, and Amazon.com

• Also out now, a 20-minute EP with three remixes: iTunes music store/Amazon.com

• Watch the official video: here

16th Annual Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival

The new Raymond Scott documentary, DECONSTRUCTING DAD, will be screened twice next weekend during the 16th annual TEMECULA VALLEY INTERNATIONAL FILM & MUSIC FESTIVAL in California:

• Friday, September 17th at 5 PM
• Saturday, September 18th at 11 AM

The film will be shown at the state of the art Movie Experience multiplex at the Tower Plaza Center:

Attendance has grown to over 20,000, and media coverage is extensive and global, boasting over 15,000,000 media impressions worldwide. Lifetime and Career Achievement Award honorees include: Dionne Warwick, Carl Reiner, Michael York, Ray Charles, Rita Coolidge, William Shatner, Billy Preston, Etta James, Louis Gossett, Jr., and many others.

KLIK! Amsterdam Animation Festival

On Friday, September 17th, the KLIK! Amsterdam Animation Festival will present the Netherlands premiere of the new Raymond Scott documentary, DECONSTRUCTING DAD. Gert-Jan Blom of The Beau Hunks, and Stan Warnow, director of the film and son of Raymond Scott, will be present for an introduction and Q&A, followed by live "cartunes" courtesy Nik Phelps and other animator-musicians. The event takes place at the Kriterion theater at 7:30 pm.

102 Years: Happy Birthday, Raymond!

Raymond Scott was born on September 10th of 1908. Today, as we celebrate his 102nd birthday, his fans have a lot to be grateful for (including, for example, the new documentary that is currently making the film festival circuit, and soon to be a DVD release).

One Scott fan, Amy Thyr, who is also an Exotica music aficionado, and founder of TourDeTiki.com, plans to toast Raymond with a special birthday drink recipe along with 20 other partiers and Tikiphiles, tomorrow, during her TikiTour:

“We will drink a toast to Raymond Scott! We can’t forget him and all he has given us … and the world of Exotica music. Scott has been recognized as a precursor to Exotica. Several of his songs were written with the intent of transporting the listener to exotic locations by use of innovative instruments and sound effects. Twenty years before Exotica became a musical genre, Raymond Scott was mixing swing jazz and classical forms, Exotica-style sounds, and his own unique style — forming the groundwork to the atmospheric moods of the Exotica movement. Tunes such as 'Suicide Cliff,' 'Snake Woman,' 'Ectoplasm,' and several others qualify Scott as the 'great-granddaddy' of Exotica. The Exotica genre of the '50s and '60s, even today’s Exotica sounds, all have their DNA rooted in the music of Raymond Scott.”

For the toast, Ms. Thyr has prepared a drink inspired by Scott's 1940 hit tune, “Huckleberry Duck.” Amy explains her new daiquirí creation, which she has dubbed the Huckleberry Duckuirí:

Though “Huckleberry Duck” is not Exotica in the musical sense, it’s now a “tropical” drink as I made it with rum, a little lime and huckleberries … why not? So here’s to Raymond … Happy Birthday … and thanks!

Amy's recipe:

          HUCKLEBERRY DUCKUIRI

           • 2 ounces Puerto Rican rum
           • 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
           • 1 ounce macerated huckleberries
           • Approx. 4 ounces huckleberry-flavored tea
              (any good blueberry tea may be substituted)
           • Ice cubes

          Combine the first three ingredients and shake with ice.
          Pour contents of shaker into a highball glass.
          Add huckleberry tea to half full.
          Add ice to fill glass.
          Garnish with blueberries if you like.
          [Complete recipe: here.]