By Jennifer Mustoe
The Queen’s Cartoonists are bringing an inventive, enjoyable, one-of-a-kind production that combines original Jazz compositions with a Golden Age of Jazz vibe with cartoons–old and new. and some surprises that sounds like this is too fun to miss.
I sat down (via Zoom) with the band’s creator, Joel “Sweet Sauce McKinley” Pierson, Piano (& Intergalactic Relations), to talk about the upcoming event. Pierson came up with this delicious melding of cartoons and Jazz five years ago and was able to harness some of the best talent in the business in just a few short days. Still playing together after five years, TQC are playing to audiences far and wide, to rave reviews. Their show appeals to audience members “from 2-102”, meaning all who attend love it–kids and adults alike. Pierson has composed an original score for this production, so what you hear is unique, perfectly matched to the cartoons, and something you’ll never forget.
Other band members are: Rossen “Chock Full” Nedelchev, Percussion (& Procurement of Agricultural Product), Drew “Dranka” Pitcher, Woodwinds (& Minister of Alcohol Preparedness); Greg “Eggs and” Hammontree, Brass (& Machine-Building Enterprises); Mark “Dingo” Phillips, Woodwinds (& Comptroller of Public Accounts); and Malik “M” McLaurine, Bass. Stationed in Queens, New York, these fellows are ready to bring Jazz and cartoons to Utah in a way you’ve never seen before.
This Friday, Front Row Reviewers is sending two reviewers who are crazy for cartoons and crazy for Jazz. As I chatted with Pierson, I told him about our reviewers’ keen interest and he was pleased that The Queen’s Cartoonists will be reviewed by two fans who are knowledgeable about the format. However, he assured me that this show is not necessarily for those who are long-time Jazz fans and in fact, that’s one of the reasons he formed this band: to create a show that will educate and entertain concert goers as Jazz accompanies cartoons. I mean, who doesn’t like cartoons?
In this show, we’ll see Daffy Duck, Betty Boop, Porky Pig, Popeye the Sailor Man, Felix the Cat (a cartoon I loved as a kid!), and many more. Some of the cartoons are from the 1920’s, and all are accompanied by a beautiful Jazz score. Pierson promises some surprises, so The Queen’s Cartoonists is a show that will be too fun to miss.
The Queen’s Cartoonists will be performing at the Noorda Center for the Performing Arts, Utah Valley University, 800 W University Pkwy, Orem, UT 84058 this Friday Nov. 12, 2021 at 7:30 PM.
Tickets Youth: $10, Seniors: $12-$24, College Students: $17, General: $15-$30.
The Queen’s Cartoonists is part of the Noorda Series at Utah Valley University’s Noorda Center for the Performing Arts which you can access here.
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