Raymond Scott's looniest tunes: An introduction

The pianist and composer Raymond Scott, born Harry Warnow in Brooklyn in 1908, is probably best-known for his cartoon music, which he didn't even originally write for cartoons. But his history is way more more interesting than that: Scott was not only a pioneer in sound engineering and multi-track recording...

By Susan Froyd

June 10, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

The pianist and composer Raymond Scott, born Harry Warnow in Brooklyn in 1908, is probably best-known for his cartoon music, which he didn't even originally write for cartoons. But his history is way more more interesting than that: Scott was not only a pioneer in sound engineering and multi-track recording a la Les Paul, but he's also been credited with inventing the polyphonic sequencer, was an inspiration to synthesizer maven Bob Moog and produced ambient music in the '60s that was way ahead of its time. Though he died in 1994, musicians as diverse as Don Byron, the Kronos Quartet and the locally based Pack of Hungry Cannibals have continued to cover his brand of screwball klezmer jazz tunes with precarious names ("Twilight in Turkey," "Egyptian Barn Dance," and yes, "Dinner Music for a Pack of Hungry Cannibals"), which has also popped up over the decades in places like these:

Betty Boop, "Siberian Sleigh Ride"

"Powerhouse" Cartoon Medley

Puss N' Booty, including "Dinner Music for a Pack of Hungry Cannibals"

Garbage Pail Kids, Episode 1

Ren and Stimpy episode, "Monkey See Monkey Don't," Part I.

And here's a quick peek into the Raymond Scott mystique: Trailer for Raymond Scott: On To Something

Intrigued? Hear Scott's ditties live at An Acoustic Dinner with a Pack of Hungry Cannibals, 7 to 10 p.m. June 12 at Dazzle, 930 Lincoln Street. That's all, folks!

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Susan Froyd started writing for Westword as the "Thrills" editor in 1992 and never quite left the fold. These days she still freelances for the paper in addition to walking her dogs, enjoying cheap ethnic food and reading voraciously. Sometimes she writes poetry.

Contact: Susan Froyd

Follow:

Facebook: sosfrojd

Twitter: @sosfrojd