Jazz in cartoons

Pink Panther

Pink detective, not deprived of subtle humor and ingenuity, always turns out to be ahead of his enemies and skillfully overcomes all obstacles in his way in search of a diamond. This cartoon, or rather, the animated series received great acclaim, he was awarded the Oscar and also greatly admired the audience. What's the secret? Perhaps in the genius music of the American conductor and composer Henry Mancini, written in 1963 specifically for the film "Pink Panther". This composition has become a real business card of the cartoon and the musician himself. You just listen to these insinuating jazz intonations, masterfully performed by Plas Johnson on a tenor saxophone, a clear rhythmic pulsation that conveys the soft tread of the prowling Pinky. There is so much grace and grace in this tune! It seems still a moment and the pink detective will jump out right at us from the corner.

Princess and frog

A beautiful, fantastic story is presented in the Walt Disney cartoon The Princess and the Frog, released in December 2009. The world turned upside down and now the dark-skinned waitress Tiana from New Orleans, dressed as a princess, kisses the prince turned into a frog. But since she does not belong to the royal family, the spell does not work in her favor and the girl herself becomes a frog. Only true love helps them defeat their enemies and regain their human form. "The Princess and the Frog" is made in the best traditions of cartoon-musicals.

The winding sounds of the trumpet, dance rhythms, the wonderful voice of the swamp jazzman and part-time charming alligator and the wonderful music of the composer Randy Newman - everything is beautiful in this cartoon. Interestingly, in the slang of the 1950s, alligators-jazzmen were called those who were well versed in this style. We invite you to listen to the song of Louis, written in the best traditions of Dixieland.

The Simpsons

The directors of the animated series "The Simpsons" never cease to amaze their fans. Intricate plots, sometimes politically motivated, subtle humor, ridicule of all human vices, samples of classical compositions and, of course, jazz. For those who follow the fate of the main characters of the cartoon it is no secret that Lisa wants to act like a real jazzman on the stage of Carnegie Hall. We invite you to listen to the magnificent blues composition from the series “Murphy's bloody gums” performed by Dan Higgins. Interestingly, American jazz singer Stevie Wonder and musician Lemon Jefferson served as prototypes for Murphy.

Cats aristocrats

Another legendary cartoon studio Walt Disney, which is filled with jazz compositions - "Cats Aristocrats." The music belongs to Phil Harris, Scatman Crothers. It is not surprising that the cartoon, released in 1970 in the heyday of jazz, is permeated with this music, and here are the fiery swing dance rhythms and lyrical blues performed by the jazz band of street cats.

Lion cub and turtle

Such a native and favorite cartoon about a lion cub and a turtle, released in 1974, is probably familiar to each of you. But it also sounds jazz music, written by G. Gladkov. You just listen to the intonations of the song “I am in the sunshine”, this syncopated rhythm, they are not confused with anything. It was performed by the People’s Artist of the USSR Oleg Anofriev and Rostislav Plyatt.

The jungle book

The full-length cartoon "The Jungle Book" was filmed by Walt Disney in 1967, in Russia it became known in 1991. Monkey King Louis, who calls himself the king of swing, masterfully plays jazz music. He was voiced by the famous American singer from New Orleans, Louis Prima, whose name was recorded in the Jazz Hall of Fame, and whose style of scat singing, with the style of high notes, is associated with the style of the legendary Louis Armstrong.

Someone else's voice

Another Soviet cartoon that cannot be overlooked is “Alien Voice”, released in 1949. It was a period of struggle with the new style, which massively captured the Soviet youth. Cartoon, which is called "on the topic of the day." All the inhabitants of the forest listen to the beautiful "classical" chants of the nightingale, but here comes a guest from abroad - forty. It brings down new and unprecedented sounds for listeners in which jazz is easily guessed. Not surprisingly, they chase the magpie and return to the nightingale singing. This is quite in the spirit of the time when they tried to fight with the new style, considering it to be "cult to the West" and, as we already know, a wasteful and senseless waste of time and energy. Jazz captured the whole world.