2021-22 SEASON
The Queen's Cartoonists
November 12, 2021
7:30 PM
Concert Hall
Be prepared to be swept away. The arts possess the unparalleled power to inspire, educate, liberate, and transform. With roots stretching deep into the history of human culture, performances invite us to set aside the constant hum of our daily routines and gather together to envision, to imagine, and to be astonished.
After a period of reduced live performances, we are delighted to raise the curtains on an extraordinary season at The Noorda Center for the Performing Arts, the leading star of UVU’s campus and a hub for the arts in Utah County. There is a special energy in The Noorda, perhaps because it wasn’t long ago that a performing arts center was just a dream. Now in our third season (hopefully our first uninterrupted, in-person season), we are overjoyed to welcome you to our pristine and inspiring spaces.
The event you will experience tonight is the result of countless hours of practice, study, and rehearsal from acclaimed faculty, award-winning guest performers, talented students, and renowned guest artists. In the School of the Arts, we seek to educate and inspire audiences and communities through bold and compelling programming as well as world-class performances. All of this connects deeply to our academic mission.
On behalf of the performers and all those who worked so hard behind the scenes to make this event a reality, thank you for joining us. You are the reason we do what we do – your interest, your energy, your awe. Please enjoy the performance and don’t forget to allow yourself to be swept away.
Courtney R. Davis, J.D., M.A.
Interim Dean, School of the Arts
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 “DINGO” 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).
MALIK “M” MCLAURINE
Bass
Malik “M” McLaurine makes the most of his modem and mojo, mashing a meticulously modern
mask with his makeshift manifestation on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (season 3, episodes
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10). Just not episode 7. Donʼt watch episode 7— Malikʼs
not in it, so why would you specifically put on THAT episode? Whatʼs wrong with you?
Malikʼs a great bass player: heʼs from Queens, he lives in Queens, he oozes Queens.
He embodies Queens. Malik left New York for college, but then came straight back to
Queens. And here we will stay.
|
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JOEL | MARK | GREG | ROSSEN | DREW | MALIK |
| HOMETOWN | Washington, DC | Melbourne, AU | Savannah, GA | Sofia, Bulgaria | Grand Rapids, MI | Queens, NY |
| FAVORITE CARTOON CHARACTER |
Snagglepuss | Daffy Duck | Bullwinkle | Jerry | He–Man | The hunter from Bambi |
| FAVORITE COFFEE SIZE |
Medium iced | Just put the filter over my mouth | Large and in charge | Laughably tiny European size | Coffee Stout | Venti is plenty! |
| BELLY BUTTON | Innie | Innie | Outie | Innie | Flattie | Wouldn’t YOU like to know |
| AIRPLANE SEAT PREFERENCE |
Aisle | Window | Last row so he can chat up the attendants | Head out the window, like a golden lab | Middle (more social that way) |
Just happy to be on the plane |
| SPECIAL SKILLS |
Middle school French | Fun accent, mate | No accent even though from the South | Marathons | Home brewing | Umm... Jazz? |
| WORDS TO LIVE BY |
If my grandma had wheels, she’d be a wagon | We’ll burn that bridge when we get to it | Whatever floats your goat | Don’t count your blessings before they hatch | The devil is in the pudding | It’s not rocket surgery! |
| FAVORITE FOOD |
Chilaquiles | Marmite on toast | Southern barbecue | Vegan, so basically nothing | Beer | Also beer |
Utah Valley University acknowledges that we gather on land sacred to all Indigenous people who came before us in this vast crossroads region. The University is committed to working in partnership—as enacted through education and community activities—with Utah’s Native Nations comprising: the San Juan Southern Paiute, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Uintah & Ouray Reservation of the Northern Ute, Skull Valley Goshute, Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation, Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute-White Mesa Community, and urban Indian communities. We recognize these Native Nations and their continued connections with traditional homelands, mountains, rivers, and lakes as well as their sovereign relationships with state and federal governments. We honor their collective memory and continued physical and spiritual presence. We revere their resilience and example in preserving their connections to the Creator and to all their relations, now and in the future.
With this statement comes responsibility and accountability. We resolve to follow up with actionable items to make the School of the Arts at UVU and The Noorda Center for the Performing Arts an inclusive, equitable, and just space for all. There is much work to be done, and we are committed to putting these words into practice.
The Circle is an elite group of arts supporters at The Noorda. Our goal is simple: create a sphere of influence that unites those who wish to have a significant impact upon the performers, patrons, and students who are transformed in our center for true artistic collaboration. Your contribution and support will make this impact by enabling The Noorda to bring the greatest talent from across the world through its doors. While here, these performers and artists will collaborate with students, the community, and our youth. Many will set aside time to visit with Circle Members at exclusive VIP events.
Join The Circle today. Call 801-863-5760 or email Traci Monson [email protected] for more information.
Mr. & Mrs. Alan and Karen Ashton
Mr. Bruce Bastian
Mr. & Mrs. Darren and Lisa Bastian
Mr. & Mrs. Jeff and Cristi Bastian
Mr. & Mrs. Rick and Heather Bastian
Mr. & Mrs. Robbie and Amy Bastian
The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints
dōTERRA
Mr. & Mrs. Kem and Carolyn Gardner
Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation
The Ray and Tye Noorda Family Foundation
Nu Skin
OC Tanner
Mr. & Mrs. Scott and Karen Smith
Utah County Government
Mr. Kim Wilson and Mrs. Gail Miller Wilson
Zions Bank
Clyde Companies
Mr. and Mrs. Paul and Jeanette Clyde
Mayor & Mrs. Guy and Paula Fugal
Mr. & Mrs. Duane and Erlyn Madsen
Mr. & Mrs. Jeff and Nancy Flamm
Mr. & Mrs. Brent and Cheri Andrus
Ms. Mary Crafts
Mr. & Mrs. Brad and Becky Caldwell
Dr. Carolyn Rasmus
Purchase your season tickets now and receive the following discounts:
In addition to your discount, as a season ticket holder you’ll also receive:
Last day to purchase season tickets is Friday, November 12.
For tickets, please contact:
THE NOORDA
Blair Box Office
801.863.PLAY (7529)
[email protected]
uvu.edu/thenoorda
