Hello, I’m Dr. Joel Pierson, Artistic Director and pianist for The Queen’s Cartoonists. Can you imagine going to a concert with your parents, grandparents, kids, or grandkids and everyone having an equal amount of FUN? Every time we get on stage, this is our goal. Many of us got our first exposure to classical music from cartoons, but we rarely think about how amazing the music in those films is. So here we are. Without giving too much away (we love surprises), prepare yourself to hear a mixture of classical and jazz music set to a backdrop of famous cartoon characters. Think Cab Calloway & Betty Boop. Rossini & Bugs Bunny. Buddy Rich & Popeye the Sailor Man. You get the picture.

*Note: we can only guarantee that the first three rows will NOT get wet. Again, the only non-wet guarantee is the first three rows. Thank you.

The Queen’s Cartoonists play music from classic cartoons and contemporary animation. The performances are synchronized to video projections of the original films, with the goal of creating a concert of classical music and jazz for everyone — regardless of age, gender, or familiarity with the concert hall. Since their inception in 2015, The Queen’s Cartoonists have gone from playing in the New York subway system to selling out the Blue Note Jazz Club and opening for the New York Philharmonic. The 6 members, born on 3 continents, are now residents of Queens, NY. Expect the unexpected from repertoire that includes the Golden Age of animation, cult cartoon classics, modern video pieces, comedy, and elements of a musical circus!

DR. JOEL “SWEET SAUCE” PIERSON
PIANO
Dr. Pierson has worked with artists of great repute (the New York Philharmonic, the Kronos Quartet), and artists of even greater ill-repute (Linkin Park, Ke$ha). Wayne Newton told Joel he loved him, and Paul McCartney gave him a shoulder massage. He has performed on all seven continents (yes, even Antarctica), and as a songwriter was signed to Warner Brothers Records. His music has been performed by over a dozen major symphony orchestras. Joel wrote additional music for the 2013 film The Internship, and is the author of numerous music education books, including You Suck at Piano, and 20 Piano Pieces for People with Emotional Problems.
Joel exclusively plays Yamaha instruments.

MARK “DIN GO” PHILLIPS
WOODWINDS
The descendent of a sheep-thief and a woman who baked her enemies into pies, Mark Phillips is the luckiest jazz immigrant in history. Upon deciding to move Up Over (what Australians call the US) to pursue great music and fewer deadlier creatures, Mark was told that in fact he had been born in the US, and already was, therefore, a US citizen. He is a distinguished Selmer Artist, and certainly the best cartoon clarinetist to ever come from New South Wales.

DREW “DRANKA” PITCHER
WOODWINDS
Multi-multi-multi-instrumentalist Drew Pitcherʼs only musical limitations are set by airline baggage restrictions (#delta). Drew attended the University of North Texas where he performed and recorded with the Grammy nominated One OʼClock Lab Band, but in the dark economic times that followed, Drew recorded smooth jazz Christmas albums under the moniker “Montgomery Bruce”, and traveled the world on cruise ships. In addition to music, Drew home-brews an award winning stout. At least thatʼs what his mother says.

GREG “EGGS AND” HAMMONTREE
TRUMPET
Greg Hammontree has a reputation of being a fearless cartoon trumpet master, and will take on any challenge, no matter how fast, ridiculous, or potentially dangerous. A lover of bicycles, Italians, and mustaches, Greg has pedaled his way up through the New York jazz scene, performing at venues ranging from Radio City Music Hall to the Times Square subway station. #unemployed #happyhour #blessed #hashtag

ROSSEN “CHOCK FULL” NEDELCHEV
DRUMS
Rossen Nedelchev hails from Sofia, Bulgaria, and is a jack-of-all-trades musician, playing drums and engineering/producing recordings for people in a multitude of styles. He runs a jazz outreach program for stressed-out New York City children called The Jazz Playground, and performs in electronic/pop band The Qualia as well as his own band, Alter View. Rossen dabbles in photography, long-distance running, and child-raising (ok that last one is more than a dabble).

SAM MINAIE
BASS

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