Andrew & Polly & Mista Cookie Jar "L.A. Christmas" Music Video World Premiere on Zooglobble!

Happy to share with yall a brand new music video & holiday jam I co-wrote with my über-talented LA children music homies, Andrew & Polly. Shout out to Zooglobble for the sweet write up and big up to team A&P, team Cookie, and all the families involved. ( ‪#‎cowsend‬ fams what's good?!) Let's sneak a peak under the Xmas tree, shall we? Just this once?? 

With ❤🌴🎶💚,
Cookie

Los Angeles children's musicians, Andrew & Polly and Mista Cookie Jar, team up on this LA-tastic holiday jam!

"It's just an LA Christmas.
It's just an LA Christmas.
Ain't got no pine trees.
But it's the season to sway together.
We all palm trees, alright."

"L.A. Christmas" 

Written and performed by Andrew & Polly & Mista Cookie Jar

Starring

Andrew & Polly
& Mista Cookie Jar

Christmas Elves

Akira, Devin, Hildegard, Kai, Lily, Nyla, Quentin & Westley

Cinematographer 

John Dilbeck

Art Department

Jenna aka Missis Cookie Jar
Caroline Ward

Directed and Edited by
Mista & Missis Cookie Jar

Big big thank you to the "LA Christmas" parents and children for their time, talent, and la la love!

Filmed by the Venice Pier, 11-16-2015.

Available on iTunes, Amazon, and pretty much everywhere.

Follow Andrew & Polly at
AndrewAndPolly.com

Autumn 2015 Mista Cookie Jar Shows!

Here's the Autumn schedule for Mista Cookie Jar shows in the LA area. Click on each show below to find out location and pricing details. Check back for updates on flyer and new shows added -- I get a lot of last minute stuff! [UPDATE: New Cow's End Show Nov 5th and Books & Cookie show originally in Dec has been moved to Jan 23.]

For show requests, b-day parties & all other inquiries: MistaCookieJar@gmail.com

Click hyperlinks for details:

Sept 10 - Thurs - Cow’s End - 10:30am - Venice, CA (Near Venice Pier)
Sept 14 - Mon - Cow’s End  - 10:30am - Venice, CA (Near Venice Pier)
Sept 26 - Sat - Marzo’s Variety Show - Zephyr Theatre - 11am - Hollywood, CA
Oct 8 - Thurs - Cow’s End - 10:30am - Venice, CA (Near Venice Pier)
Oct 22 - Thurs - Cow’s End - 10:30am - Venice, CA (Near Venice Pier)
Nov 5 - Thurs - Cow’s End - 10:30am - Venice, CA (Near Venice Pier)
***Nov 8 - Sun - Zimmer Children’s Museum - 3pm - LA, CA (Mid-Whilshire)
Nov 19 - Thurs - Cow’s End - 10:30am - Venice, CA (Near Venice Pier)
Jan 23 - Sat - Books and Cookies - 10:00am - Santa Monica, CA (Main St.)

***Show features Ava Flava

"It's Only In Your Head" World Premiere on Kids Can Groove

Here it is folks, the 13th and final single-a-month drop, "It's Only In Your Head," as premiered this morning on Kids Can Groove. Today, October 13, is the anniversary of the whole single-a-month shebang! This single is a special one. Not only is it the finale of a whole year of dropping singles (13 in a row!), it's also a song 4 years in the making. Check out the Kids Can Groove write up for the story behind creating the song and the blogger's personal look at the tune in relation with dealing with her kid's nightmares.

 

In the realm of dreams, nightmares, and flights of the imagination, love (particularly, the non-mushy kind) can turn fear into wonder, confusion into whimsy, and terror into glee. 4 years in the making, the 13th and final Mista Cookie Jar and the Chocolate Chips single-a-month release, "It's Only in Your Head," is a heart-on-sleeve opus for fearful and doubting young minds. With lyrical vignettes, clever wordplay, and a mirage of classic storybook and fable references, Mista Cookie Jar spins that common phrase of condescension, "it's only in your head," into a freewill affirming, "mad-hatter mantra" in that warm, whimsical way only Mista Cookie Jar can do. 

"Sprinkled with echoing soundbites and twinkling glockenspiel, 'It's Only in Your Head' reminds kids that no matter how real things seem when they close their eyes, they are safe and surrounded by the love that awaits them when they wake up. "

  -- Kids Can Groove 

“It’s Only in Your Head”

Written and Performed by

Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips

Kids Can Groove Online Premiere: Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Credits: 

Instruments:  Strings, harp, glockenspiel, bass, guitar, drums, sampler

Instrumentation: Mista Cookie Jar

Vocals: Mista Cookie Jar, Missis Cookie Jar

Written and Performed by: Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips

Producer: Mista Cookie Jar

Lyrics:

Did you wake up 

and everything was still dark? 

Oh no!

It's just a silly nightmare. 

There’s a pounding pounding 

inside your heart. 

Oh no!

It's just a silly nightmare. 

Nightmare. What a nightmare!

I know you're feeling 

so scared here. 

But believe me

Nothing to fear here. 

You're a smashing 

brilliant sensation. 

Fill ya heart up. 

That is your floatation. 

Row row your boat

up to the starlight. 

Let the love you found

shine a far light. 

Dream a tightrope. 

Look straight ahead. 

You’re not falling down. 

It's just in your head!

It's only in your head.

She wakes up screaming

in the middle of a dream, 

crying no no no! 

(Mr. Sandman, bring me a treat.)

Somehow she lost the magic.

Off to tragic.

Down the rabbit hole she goes.

But, its only in her head.

They drop him gently

in the middle of a cloud.

He cries, ‘Don't don't don’t!’

(If you believe it you can fly!)

He's got the wings to fly.

He thinks he's too high,

Says he can't go on.

He's so wrong.

Because...it's only his head.

Life is but a dream. 

So full of darkness 

and brilliant beams. 

Some things may or may not 

be what they seem. 

Gotta let it all go 

when you float upstream. 

Turn a new leaf. 

Fresh new looseleaf. 

Stay true. Keep it way loose. 

One thing to save you… 

A superhero in tights?

Nah,

it's the love all around you. 

Lucky we found you!

It's only in your head.

"Music is Everywhere" World Premiere on Kids Can Groove

Today, the 12th and penultimate Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips single-a-month release, “Music is Everywhere,” premieres on Kids Can Groove!

“[Mista Cookie Jar’s] arrangement is a perfect complement to the song's message which celebrates the power of music and the innate connection we have to it; The notion that music exists within us and all around us, whether it's in a poetic verse, your child's laughter, an ocean breeze, or that one perfect note.”

 —Kids Can Groove

Click here for the full review. The 13th and final single premiere will drop on Kids Can Groove Oct. 13. Stay tuned! For now, here's "Music is Everywhere," enjoy!

“Music is Everywhere”

Written and Performed by

Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips

Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips owe it all to music in their 12th-in-row and second-to-last "single-a-month" release, "Music is Everywhere." Dedicating a full year to the craft of the "single," the Chocolate Chip penultimate drop is an homage to the magic of song and dance. In a Sound of Music inspired, rasta-flavored wave of piano, glockenspiel, drums, bass, guitar and the backing vocals of Ava Flava, Mista Cookie Jar weaves poetry, wit, soul and his signature flow to deliver a message to the kids that music is always at their fingertips. 

Credits: 

Instruments:  Piano, glockenspiel, bass, guitar, drums

Instrumentation: Mista Cookie Jar

Vocals: Ava Flava, Mista Cookie Jar

Written and Performed by: Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips

Producer: Mista Cookie Jar

Lyrics: 

Everywhere, music is everywhere!

Music puts the magic in this life.

You can build a castle in the sky. 

Close your eyes and you shall see. 

It's so simple as a melody. 

Music puts the magic in this life.

In this life 

music surrounds you

You just got to open up your ears

like the hounds do. 

Listen around you. 

Music! It's everywhere 

and for everyone. 

Magic, when it happens,

Starts out with a little fun. 

It's in that "haha!" moment. 

When u stumble upon a note 

and its an "aha!" moment. 

Aha!!

Don't need no law degree 

or musicology degree

to understand the beauty 

in the rules of harmony. 

Ya follow me?

Music puts the magic in this life.

You can build a castle in the sky. 

Close your eyes and you shall see. 

It's so simple as a melody. 

Music puts the magic in this life.

Music touches lives.

Ya better believe me when I say dat

It keep it sweet like chocolate chips 

and butterscotch haystacks.

So when ur down and out,

music flips your frown around. 

You can YouTube your favorite tune 

and you'll be bouncin’ around. 

See, something huge it 

grabs a hold of you. 

The music is in motion. 

I'm not trying to sound dramatic

But it's kinda like an ocean

flowing in you. Call it magic.

Yeah, I'm talking Harry Potter. 

It's that ever lasting feeling 

from ya very first concert!

Music's the glow

In your best friend’s eyes. 

Poetry flowin' across the universe 

throughout space & time. U kno!

The spirit of many 

from many-a-thousand years. 

So many-a-story 

passed in melody. 

Sad and joyful tears. 

So open up and live in the moment. 

Take a chance when u dance

and just own it. 

Just got to focus on one perfect note. 

Music, music.

Music, music.

Music, music.

Music, music.

Everywhere. 

Music in the earth and sky.

It’s anywhere.

Music to the milky stars.

It’s everywhere.

Music is the one thing that can take you there.

Music is everywhere.

Music puts the magic in this life.

You can build a castle in the sky. 

Close your eyes and you shall see. 

It's so simple as a melody. 

Music puts the magic in this life.

"BFF Goodbye" World Premiere on OWTK

It's the end of summer. Change is in motion. School is starting. And with new beginnings come goodbyes. Based on actual events, "BFF Goodbye" is a heart-on-sleeve kindie ballad for best friends bidding adieu. Set to acoustic guitars and the harmonies of real life best friends, Ava Flava (age 14) and Miss Mikyla (age 12), Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips explore the bittersweet emotions of a BFF leaving town. The song is the 11th in a row single-a-month release in anticipation for the Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips 3rd album (date yet to be determined). 

“BFF Goodbye is the new song from Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips. If you've ever had a best friend move away, BFF Goodbye is going to make you cry. Grab a tissue, BFF.“

-- Jeff Bogle, Out With The Kids (Click here to read the full write up)

Lyrics:

My best friend is leaving today.

And hangin’ ‘round this town

won’t ever be the same.

We say that we’ll be friends forever

so why’s it sad to say

next time we meet it’ll be like

nothing ever changed?

‘Cuz life it changes.

Letting go is just too much to take.

(My heart says let go.)

I’m led here by my heart

but all I feel’s heartache.

We say that we’ll be friends forever

so why’s it sad to say

next time we meet it’ll be like

nothing ever changed?

‘Cuz life it changes.

Soon you’ll be gone.

Don’t say goodbye.

Just say so long…see ya later.

My best friend is leaving today.

And hangin’ ‘round this town

won’t ever be the same.

We say that we’ll be friends forever

so why’s it sad to say

next time we meet it’ll be like

nothing ever changed?

‘Cuz life it changes.

Credits: 

Instruments:  Drums, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Tambourine

Instrumentation: Mista Cookie Jar

Vocals: Ava Flava, Miss Mikyla, Mista Cookie Jar

Written and Performed by: Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips

Producer: Mista Cookie Jar

Lollapalooza 2015 - Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips rock the Kidzapalooza Stage! #lolla

Lollapalooza 2015 was one the best weekends ever EVER. My parents, sisters, nieces and nephew came up to support! We had 2 great shows and my voice (which was shot from being sick the couple weeks previous to the show) came back just in time for Friday. Saw some amazing bands and met some really cool peeps!

Chocolate Chip nieces nephews and fans wearing a Lollapalooza exclusive Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips tshirt were featured on Getty Images and the Rolling Stone!

photo by Andy Keeling

"Atmosphere in the Kidsapalooza area during 2015 Lollapalooza at Grant Park on July 31, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois."

CREDIT: TIM MOSENFELDER

The Chips and I got a NICE shoutout in an antiMusic.com recap/review of Lollapalooza Day 2! 

"...Kidzapalooza should never be underestimated even if you don't have kids. Mista Cookie Jar (aka Cesar J. Pizarro) wasn't onstage for the performance but in the middle of the kids section conducting a singalong. For several kids who are experiencing their first festival concert, the in-person interaction is what makes it memorable..."

Click here to read the whole recap.  

 

"Sunshine Family (Feat. Aaron Nigel Smith)" - New July Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips Single - Zooglobble Online Premiere

World Premiere time! Here it is folks, our July single-a-month summer jam. It dropped on Zooglobble this morning -- "Sunshine Family" featuring the kindie homie, Aaron Nigel Smith.

"...you can think of it as a big (BIG) I-5 duet from the the West Coast artists.  (And no offense to the East Coast, but the West Coast OWNS summer.)"

            -Zooglobble

Click here for the full Zooglobble write up.

Song Description: 

Bust out the boombox and blast this Mista Cookie Jar and the Chocolate Chips summer jam -- "Sunshine Family" featuring world renowned children music artist and organizer, Aaron Nigel Smith. Crafted from the traditions of roots reggae, dub, hip hop, and kindie, “Sunshine Family” sends a charmingly simple and erudite message of one-world-harmony. Co-written by Smith and Cookie, and produced by Mista Cookie Jar, the song is the 10th in a row single-month release in anticipation for the Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips 3rd album (date yet to be determined).

Credits: 

Instruments:  Electric Guitar, Bass Synth, Korg Synth, Sampler, 808 Drums

Instrumentation: Mista Cookie Jar

Vocals: Aaron Nigel Smith, Mista Cookie Jar

Writers: Aaron Nigel Smith, Cesar Jason Carandang Pizarro

Producer: Mista Cookie Jar

Lyrics:

Sunshine family!

Every single one is a part of we.

Together we can help the world to see

that we should be living in harmony.

I can't stand it. 

It's too much to take.

Life is like a cute puppy 

and my heart might break.

I got a family that loves me. 

Sunshine is above me.

I be singin’ and lovin’ and livin’ it. 

Zippity-do-da-day!

The positivity is in me. 

Positively infinitely. 

Intricately and so simply. 

It's so bountiful, it's silly. 

Hit me once with that lovelight, please.  

Around the world, coming together.

It's a...

Sunshine family! 

(Mi familia, famalia sol.)

Every single one is a part of we. 

(Oiu, oiu mademoiselle et monsieur.)

Together we can help the world to see 

(Buksan ang iyong manga mata.)

that we should be living in harmony. 

(Harmony! Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.)

Step up, step up

‘cause love comes first.

From the word of the verse

I will never sent curse.

Just lift up Jah love.

Lift up a song. 

Lift one another as we all walk along!

I'm talking daffodils and dimples. 

Kitten YouTube videos.

Cotton-candy clouds.

Symphonies be all around. 

Backstrokin’ up stream

in a belly laughing dream. 

Hold it in. It's impossible. 

Milk straight out your nostrils! 

So comfy comfy sittin’ alone in ya room. 

But won’t ya come outside and join us. 

Harmonize to our tune. 

And if you got your own melody bring it. 

We wanna hear ya sing it. 

We'll listen happily...

Sunshine family! 

(Sunshine for your mind, one time!)

Every single one is a part of we. 

(Every single person here is a part of…us?)

Together we can help the world to see 

(Ya gotta open ya eyes and free ya mind, kid!)

that we should be living in harmony. 

(Harmony! Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.)