Razzle Bam Boom
Encyclopedia
Razzle Bam Boom is a children’s musical group formed in Los Angeles
in 1999. The duo, composed of Mark Beckwith and Obediah Thomas, perform original musical shows for elementary school assemblies, theatres, and community venues.
By blending family comedy with music, Razzle Bam Boom educate audiences on a wide array of topics, ranging from the story of the Wright Brothers
’ first flight to the history of contemporary rock music
.
series, and appeared on Nickelodeon and the Family Channel. His songwriting has won him awards from Billboard Magazine, the Family Channel, and USA Today.
Obediah Thomas has a degree in Music Performance, Jazz Studies with an emphasis on Trumpet
from the University of Cincinnati
. Thomas made a career as a stand-up comic, touring major comedy clubs across America. In addition to his work with Razzle Bam Boom, Thomas performs nationally in a stilt-walking musical troupe, Lou Wow and the Poi Boys. He also performs for children as a solo-juggler.
In the 1990’s Beckwith was a member of Beckwith and Towner, a comic duo for children. After the death of Towner, Beckwith sought out another musically oriented comic who performed well for children. After being introduced to Thomas through a mutual friend, the two began performing at local events.
For July 4 of 2001 they wrote “200 Years of American Music” a revue of the diversity of American music, and marketed the show for elementary schools. This was released around the time of September 11, 2001, and many Southern California schools booked the show because of its patriotic theme. Razzle Bam Boom soon-after they released their first CD of the same name.
In 2002 they wrote “The Wright Brothers Musical Comedy,” adapted from an original musical, music written by Beckwith and book by Towner. It was ready for the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight in 1903. The two-man version play teaches the story and the perseverance of Orville and Wilber Wright. That year Razzle Bam Boom produced a DVD of their Wright Brothers Musical Comedy as performed at the Madrid Theater in Canoga Park, California in summer 2004.
In 2003, Razzle Bam Boom began performing for the Orange County Performing Arts Center in the ArtsTeach program, which sends performing artists to schools throughout Orange County, California. Razzle Bam Boom has since performed for over 500,000 students at over 500 different schools.
Razzle Bam Boom has appeared at theaters such as Orange County Performing Arts Center
, The Clark Center in Arroyo Grande, Reed Whipple Center and Charleston Arts Center In Las Vegas
, Ocotillo Performing Arts Center, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, and the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa, CA. On August 17, 2008 Razzle Bam boom opened for The Knack at the Warner Center in Canoga Park, California.
To date, Beckwith and Razzle Bam Boom have released 6 albums CDs of children’s music. The duo’s most recent album, Rockology, included the tagline “For kids 4 to 94.”
In 2008, Beckwith founded Shows That Teach, a group of shows from a variety of performers designed to educate children in recycling, water conservation, and other environmental topics.
Together the two combine musical numbers, skits, and audience participation, to educate children of all age groups while also appealing to families.
Singing American History (songs written by Jeff Lantos) – 2003
The Wright Brothers Musical (DVD) – 2004
The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll – 2005
The Word Wits (DVD) – 2007
Singin’ in the Mud (“Mark & Puey”) – 2007
Rockology (songs written by Mark Beckwith) –2007
Singin’ Green (“The Earthworms”) - 2009
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in 1999. The duo, composed of Mark Beckwith and Obediah Thomas, perform original musical shows for elementary school assemblies, theatres, and community venues.
By blending family comedy with music, Razzle Bam Boom educate audiences on a wide array of topics, ranging from the story of the Wright Brothers
Wright brothers
The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur , were two Americans credited with inventing and building the world's first successful airplane and making the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight, on December 17, 1903...
’ first flight to the history of contemporary rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
.
History
Mark Beckwith performed in touring rock bands throughout the 1980’s before concentrating on children’s music. Beckwith wrote and produced songs included in Knowledge Adventure’s award winning JumpStartJumpStart
JumpStart is an educational media franchise for children, consisting mostly of educational games, produced by Knowledge Adventure. The series is distributed as Jump Ahead in the United Kingdom...
series, and appeared on Nickelodeon and the Family Channel. His songwriting has won him awards from Billboard Magazine, the Family Channel, and USA Today.
Obediah Thomas has a degree in Music Performance, Jazz Studies with an emphasis on Trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
from the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
. Thomas made a career as a stand-up comic, touring major comedy clubs across America. In addition to his work with Razzle Bam Boom, Thomas performs nationally in a stilt-walking musical troupe, Lou Wow and the Poi Boys. He also performs for children as a solo-juggler.
In the 1990’s Beckwith was a member of Beckwith and Towner, a comic duo for children. After the death of Towner, Beckwith sought out another musically oriented comic who performed well for children. After being introduced to Thomas through a mutual friend, the two began performing at local events.
For July 4 of 2001 they wrote “200 Years of American Music” a revue of the diversity of American music, and marketed the show for elementary schools. This was released around the time of September 11, 2001, and many Southern California schools booked the show because of its patriotic theme. Razzle Bam Boom soon-after they released their first CD of the same name.
In 2002 they wrote “The Wright Brothers Musical Comedy,” adapted from an original musical, music written by Beckwith and book by Towner. It was ready for the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight in 1903. The two-man version play teaches the story and the perseverance of Orville and Wilber Wright. That year Razzle Bam Boom produced a DVD of their Wright Brothers Musical Comedy as performed at the Madrid Theater in Canoga Park, California in summer 2004.
In 2003, Razzle Bam Boom began performing for the Orange County Performing Arts Center in the ArtsTeach program, which sends performing artists to schools throughout Orange County, California. Razzle Bam Boom has since performed for over 500,000 students at over 500 different schools.
Razzle Bam Boom has appeared at theaters such as Orange County Performing Arts Center
Orange County Performing Arts Center
The Orange County Performing Arts Center is a performing arts complex located in Costa Mesa, California, United States.The Center offers the world’s leading dance companies, Broadway shows, award-winning classical, jazz and cabaret artists, family entertainment, special events and year-round...
, The Clark Center in Arroyo Grande, Reed Whipple Center and Charleston Arts Center In Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
, Ocotillo Performing Arts Center, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, and the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa, CA. On August 17, 2008 Razzle Bam boom opened for The Knack at the Warner Center in Canoga Park, California.
To date, Beckwith and Razzle Bam Boom have released 6 albums CDs of children’s music. The duo’s most recent album, Rockology, included the tagline “For kids 4 to 94.”
In 2008, Beckwith founded Shows That Teach, a group of shows from a variety of performers designed to educate children in recycling, water conservation, and other environmental topics.
Style & Influences
Beckwith and Thomas model themselves as a music-comedy musical straight-man/comic team like the Smothers Brothers—while aiming their shows at children and families. Beckwith, the straight man, often plays guitar. Thomas, the comic, plays trumpet.Together the two combine musical numbers, skits, and audience participation, to educate children of all age groups while also appealing to families.
Discography
200 Years of American Music – 2002Singing American History (songs written by Jeff Lantos) – 2003
The Wright Brothers Musical (DVD) – 2004
The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll – 2005
The Word Wits (DVD) – 2007
Singin’ in the Mud (“Mark & Puey”) – 2007
Rockology (songs written by Mark Beckwith) –2007
Singin’ Green (“The Earthworms”) - 2009