HOLIDAY HURRAH YULE LOVE IT!
JAZZ & CLASSICAL
Classic Cartoons, Live Music & Comedy
Photo credit: Lauren Desberg
General Manager: Theresa Vibberts
Territory: Worldwide
“As I watched The Queen’s Cartoonists slip and slide through decades of cartoon music in a matter of minutes, with the animations projected on a large screen behind them, I followed a captivated crowd of young and old consciously connect what they were watching with what they were hearing. The pleasure of the perfect synchrony of sound and pictures was instantly
recognizable.”
“The music is utterly dazzling, the cartoons are delightful, and the light-hearted silliness and mumblecore, deadpan humor of the pianist and band leader Dr. Joel Pierson are absolute treasures.”
HOLIDAY HURRAH YULE LOVE IT!
Keenly aware of all things holiday-oriented and completely ridiculous, musical ensemble The Queen’s Cartoonists have set out o find the best of the best (and best of the worst) holiday related cartoons, films, and jazz. The show includes traditional holiday vocal numbers (“White Christmas,” “Jingle Bells,” you know... the regular stuff), paired with jazz arrangements and festive animated films. There’s also a good amount of novelty and comedy (Spike Jones is due for a revival anytime now, we just know it!). Don’t forget ridiculous props, Foley sound effects, and even a holiday-themed game show! Finally, wonder and laugh at the band’s take on the bizarre film “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians”! Yule love it!
ABOUT
The Queen’s Cartoonists perform music from cartoons! Pulling from over 100 years of animation, TQC’s performances are perfectly synchronized to the films projected on stage. The band matches the energy of the cartoons, leading the audience through a world of virtuosic musicianship, multi-instrumental mayhem, and comedy.
Projections of animated films dazzle the audience, while the band re-creates original soundtracks note-for-note, or writes their own fresh compositions to modern pieces, all the while breathing new life into two uniquely American forms of art: jazz and animation. Tying everything together is the TQC brand of comedy- anecdotes about the cartoons and the composers, stream-of-consciousness humor, and elements of a musical circus.
Watch your favorite classic cartoon characters interact with the musicians onstage and expect the unexpected from the Golden Age of Animation, cult car-oon classics, and modern animated films. Inspired by the cross-roads of jazz, classical music, and cartoons, TQC features Jazz Age composers like Raymond Scott, Carl Stalling, and Duke Ellington, alongside classical giants like Mozart, Rossini, and Strauss.
Since their inception in 2015, the six musicians, hailing from four continents, all reside in Queens, New York, and are a uniquely creative part of the New York jazz scene. The band has presented their innovative concert experience to performing arts centers, clubs, and festivals all across North America and Europe. The Queen’s Cartoonists have opened for the New York Philharmonic and are the only artist in the 40-plus year history of the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City to sellout multiple all-ages shows. They have been featured in over 50 publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The Chicago Tribune, NPR, and Mashable. Recent highlights include collaborations with the National Film Board of Canada and Aardman Studios, bringing the beloved films of Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep to audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Dr. Joel Pierson
Musical Director, Piano
Washington, DC
Rossen Nedelchev
Drums
Sofia, Bulgaria
Greg Hammontree
Trumpet, Trombone
Savannah, GA
Malik McLaurine
Bass
Queens, NY
Mark Phillips
Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone
Melbourne, Australia
Drew Pitcher
Flute, Tenor Saxophone
Michilimackinac, MI
“Who needs another Broadway show when you can hire a jazz combo playing music from Bugs Bunny cartoons?”