African Rhythms, Western Perspective: Frizzell scores “Primeval”

Composer John Frizzell travels across three continents to score "Primeval." Directed by Michael Katleman, the film is based on the true story of a legendary 25-foot crocodile that killed an estimated 300 people in war-torn Burundi. The film stars Gideon Emory, Brooke Langton, Orlando Jones and Dominic Purcell. Touchstone will release the film January 12th. Sonic samplings from these sessions include the traditional Burundian musical story-telling technique Inanga Chochotee, where a soloist plays a low pitched harp and whispers in an ominous tone.

Sonic samplings from these sessions include the traditional Burundian musical story-telling technique Inanga Chochotee, where a soloist plays a low pitched harp and whispers in an ominous tone. Film composer John Frizzell traveled to Africa, where he enlisted Cape Town's finest players to create a "composing library" of over 800 sound clips, which served as the inspirational source material for the score. While recording with the Cape Town Burundian Drummers, Frizzell was amazed to learn that they had walked over two thousand miles for two years to escape Burundian violence.Sonic samplings from these sessions include the traditional Burundian musical story-telling technique Inanga Chochotee, where a soloist plays a low pitched harp and whispers in an ominous tone. He also incorporated powerful Burundian drumming, originally used by African kings to express their sovereignty. Frizzell then fused these distinctive sounds into a more traditional orchestral score. He is currently in Prague recording with a full orchestra.The result of Frizzell's hard work is a revolutionary hybrid score which preserves the vibrancy African music, while re-contextualizing its distinctive tunings and rhythms into a Hollywood film score.

John Frizzell has written scores for a variety of genres and has proven his musical talent, creativity and versatility. For "The Prizewinner of Defiance, Ohio," starring Julianne Moore, Frizzell recruited Newgrass band Nickel Creek to complement his Americana score.John Frizzell's other credits range from comedies such as "Beavis and Butthead Do America" and the cult classic "Office Space," to the dark comedy "Teaching Mrs. Tingle" and the sci-fi drama "Alien Resurrection." Recent credits include "Gods and Generals," "Cradle 2 the Grave" and "First Born," starring Elisabeth Shue.