Jazz for Everyone: The Joy of The Queen's Cartoonists
““Who needs another string quartet, dance troupe or touring Broadway show when you can hire a jazz combo playing music from Bugs Bunny cartoons?” ”
When The Queen's Cartoonists first came together, they had a single question: is it possible, in the 21st century, to create jazz and classical music that appeals to everyone - no exceptions?
The struggle of creating music – of any genre – for all ages is a tale as old as music itself. But since The Queen's Cartoonists’ inception in 2015, they've managed to bring jazz to the masses. How, you might ask? Through the universal love of cartoons, of course!
Synchronized to the classic animations of Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fud, and even the Canadian 1969 classic Bambi versus Godzilla among so many more, their performances embody a levity and accessibility that invites you in to join in the revelry. Animation's golden age is brought comically (and often chaotically) to life to the live soundtrack of renowned composers like Duke Ellington, Raymond Scott, and R. Strauss.
““Whether you have kids in tow, love jazz or just fancy something a little out of the ordinary, this is a delightful show.””
But their comedic acts and family-friendly performances haven't excluded the group from international acclaim: they've opened for the New York Philharmonic and have been featured in The Wall Street Journal and on NPR. Plus, with nicknames like Joel “Sweet Sauce McKinley” Pierson and Greg “Eggs and” Hammontree, we dare you to not fall in love with the band and their talents.
So what can you expect when The Queen's Cartoonists comes to the Jack Singer Concert Hall this January? A dash of comedy, a smidgen of mayhem, and a whole lotta jazz.
““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.””
Special thanks to ALSA Road Construction for their support of the Jazz series from Arts Commons Presents.
