Jeff Sanford’s Cartoon Jazz Orchestra: Trip Down Memory Lane

From the beloved Saturday antics of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck in the ‘40s and ‘50s to today’s anime, cartoons express wild swings of energy and emotion, explosive triumphs, and deserved defeats.

Raymond Scott was a visionary musician and innovator who’s work figured largely into the music. Warner Brothers Musical Director Carl Stalling adapted Scott’s strange, hyperactive pieces as scores for more than 120 Looney Tunes. The works by Scott became the inspiration for the Orchestra, and it premiered at the Stanford Jazz Festival in 2003. 

Enjoy your favorite cartoon musical memories in this unique and not to be missed musical performance. 

The key players in the ensemble include: 

Jeff Sanford, a NYC native, is the CJO founder and leader and has resided in the Bay Area since 1976. His eclectic work in jazz, dance, and session gigs introduced him to some of the area’s best musicians over the years.

Lenny Carlson, in-house composer of this original music since 2009; he brings the wild and woolly spirit of Raymond Scott into the 21st century. Lenny, a jazz guitarist, recording artist, and composer whose mother was a classical violinist and father was a composer gives new meaning to the word “eclectic”. 

Kevin Gerzevitz is a keyboardist, specializing in jazz piano, organ and accordion, as well as a composer and teacher based in the San Francisco Bay Area.  

These group members have played with renowned performers over the course of their careers as well as having other amazing additions to their portfolios.  

Mark Rosengarden (Bette Midler, Herbie Mann, Darlene Love) 

Eric Wayne (Digital Victrola owner/producer, KALW announcer/ operator) 

Simon Planting (John Jorgenson Quintet, artistic director of two Django fests) 

Hal Richards (Carol Channing, Terry Gibbs, Lenny Niehaus)