Skip to main content

The Real Composer Behind the Saturday Night Live What's Poppin Jazz Scat Video

Composer Janice Misurell-Mitchell is the Secret Inspiration Behind the SNL Skit

Saturday Night Live lovers, who typically no longer watch Saturday Night Live on Saturday but
actually wait until Monday when it pops up on Hulu, enjoyed a rare hilarious bit from the "What's Poppin" skit, featuring a few, uhm, lets say non-traditional "hip hop" artists scatting away. Within a few minutes it's pretty clear that the performing musicians aren't what you would call mainstream hip hop artists, wearing strangely coordinated wardrobes and sporting a hip hop flute.



Watch the original Saturday Night Live Video.


Composer Janice Misurell-Mitchell is the inspiration behind this hilarious take on hip hop. 

You can watch the original version of Scat/Rap Counterpoint here, starring Misurell-Mitchell:

According to the composer:


"Scat/Rap Counterpoint presents various views of the dilemma in which American artists find themselves when they try to relate their work to their society. The issues are presented in the form of a rap dramatized by nine different characters, some of whom are treated seriously, and some, satirically..." 

So what you do you think about Scat/Rap Counterpoint? While this may seem like a kooky take on rap, or maybe an educator's way of making music accessible to a wider audience, the musicians in the video are no neophytes to music. In fact, Misurell-Mitchell is a member of the School of the Arts Institute in Chicago, and has had many accolades for her virtuosic flute playing and innovative style. You can find out more about the quirky talented composer at her website.

------
Written by Sabrina Pena Young, Composer
Young is a sought after writer and speaker on music technology, electronic music, and contemporary music. Her latest work, Libertaria: The Virtual Opera, has been described as "breakthrough opera" and "epic" by the Palm Beach Arts Paper. Contact Young for your upcoming event, commission, or publication at spenayoung@gmail.com .
Enhanced by Zemanta

Comments

Erica R said…
Thaanks for sharing

Popular posts from this blog

A Composer's Brief Guide to Percussion Mallets

When composing for percussion, it is important to know the difference between a variety of mallets. Although in most cases the percussionist will choose the proper mallets for the passage, sometimes as a composer, you want a particular sound. It is always good to research a mallet before indicating it in your score. Consult a percussion catalogue for a more in-depth look at the hundreds of mallets available. 1. YARN MALLETS They come in every dynamic range from supersoft baseball-sized to forte. They are the multi-purpose mallet, used for toms, suspended cymbal rolls, marimba, xylophone, woodblock, and pretty much anytime a percussionist doesn't have time to pick up another mallet. 2. CORD MALLETS These are harder than the yarn mallets. More effective on xylophone and vibes, these mallets can also be used for a variety of percussion instruments. 3. BRASS MALLETS These are for use on the glockenspiel/bells and the occasional brake drum. They produce a more "tinny" kind of

EDGY New Film : Special Needs Revolt! A man with Down syndrome is on a mission to save America from a racist dictatorship

Special Needs Revolt!  Is an action-horror-comedy film. The film's hero, Billy Bates, who will be played by up-and-coming actor Samuel Dyer, is a young man with Down syndrome. Billy wakes up from a two-year coma and discovers that the United States has been turned into a brutal dictatorship thanks to President Kruger, to be played by award-winning veteran actor Bill Weeden ( Sgt. Kabukiman   N.Y.P.D. ). Kruger has put all people with disabilities into institutions. Billy becomes the leader of a diverse group of resistance fighters committed to ending Kruger's reign of terror. "Special Needs Revolt!" is also a satire on our current political situation, done in the style of Troma Entertainment. Lloyd Kaufman of Troma will appear in the film.  CHECK OUT THE INDIEGOGO CAMPAIGN:  https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/special-needs-revolt#/ Adrian’s latest work  Special Needs Revolt!  may seem edgy and even shocking to some. However, it demonstrates that he is grow

Music Secrets: The Music School Survival Guide

Music Secrets: The Music School Survival Guide Don't have any time to balance rehearsals, exams, and a social life? Then read on!  So you find that between playing in orchestra, the school musical, a solo recital or two, joining Sigma Alpha Iota or Phi Mu Alpha , playing in the alternative band at night, pep band, and marching band that you can't keep your eyes open, let alone study for the music history midterm next week or even begin to write your term paper on Debussy? Then read on and learn to balance life in Music School. 1) Musicians DO need to Sleep   Yes, you need to sleep, even if it is only five hours a night plus catnaps. Your brain cannot function if you do not sleep. So sleep, even if that means that you can't play in that awesome alternative band that jams every other night till 5am at the local bar. 2) Eat right and exercise Okay, so I sound like your parents, or Oprah, but I am serious. My biggest mistake as an undergrad (well, one of my bigges