They're young, they're Canadian, and they're ÜBERtalented. No, they're not Justin Bieber circa 2007...they're The Zing Zangs!! Seriously, the hardest working 13 year olds in the game. They've just released an album called, Blast Off!, featuring Todd McHatton, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Groovy David, Sugar Free Allstars and a handful of other Kindie superstars. Here's their debut music video, Super Speed. This week, it premiered on TV'sCool Rockin' Daddy Video Show and, wouldn't ya know, it features some kooky Pilipino-American hippie hipster named,Mista Cookie Jar. Share with your youngins and enjoy 

Update: I interview here with the Zing Zangs on Kids Can Groove!

"My first spot as a guest blogger on Kids Can Groove and who better to interview than the 13-year old kindie entrepreneur, GooberKids Trevor of the Zing Zangs!" 

-MCJ on Facebook

MAD October Shows in LA!

Mad Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips October shows in Los Angeles!

October 6 - Serial Time for Tiny Humans! (Storytelling show)- Books and Cookies - 11 am (Free)

"The LA Storytelling Festival's kidcentric event, Serial Time for Tiny Humans, features Heidi Swedberg, Jayne Entwistle, Donald Ian Black, Jackie Jones, Mista Cookie Jar and your hostess, Astrid Strudelman, the Unicorn Whisperer (whose likeness to The UkuLady is uncanny). Show starts at 11am at Santa Monica'sBooks and Cookies LA -- each storyteller has 10 -12 minutes! Don't miss it the magicmeep!"

Tickets and info: http://lastoryworks.org/la-storytelling-festival/

http://lastoryworks.org/serial-time-for-tiny-humans/

LINEUP:
Heidi Swedberg
Bunny Don Black
Astrid Strudelman
Jackie Jones
Jayne Entwistle
Mista Cookie Jar
October 12 - Mista Cookie Jar SHOW! - Books and Cookies - 10 am (Free)
October 20 - Castle Heights Fall Festival - Morning to Afternoon (Free)
October 26 - Halloween Spooktacular with Groovy David - Groovy Lounge - 10 am to 12 pm

Todd and Cookie

My good friend, Todd McHatton (the brilliant fella who wrote I Think I'm a Bunny), and I have just released our debut project, Todd and Cookie.

Here's our official writeup: 

Kindie Rock Superstars Todd McHatton and Mista Cookie Jar have joined forces to create The Great Adventures of Todd and Cookie; a mystical, magical, rock and roll cartoon adventure for the whole family! "A World of Rock" is the premiere episode of the series, Todd and Cookie's Catapult of Destiny. Their premiere mini album, "Epic 3 Song Starter Pack," is also available for purchase online. 

Following this initial release Todd and Cookie will issue a brand new mini album to coincide with the premiere of each new cartoon. An ongoing web comic will also be chronicling their adventures as they seek out The Catapult of Destiny.

Todd and Cookie is already being hailed as the kid friendly Cheech & Chong for the 21st century.

For more info go to 

http://ToddAndCookie.com

http://twitter.com/ToddAndCookie

http://facebook.com/ToddAndCookie

http://toddandcookie.bandcamp.com/

Tuesday Night Project 2013

This past Tuesday Ava Flava and I performed for the 4th year in a row at Tuesday Night Project in Little Tokyo. As a matter of fact, it was 4 years ago this month we had our first show ever as the Chocolate Chips! (Truth be told, we debuted as "Mista Cookie Jar and Tha Big Seeds"...that night we changed it to "Chocolate Chips"!!)

In the picture above, Ava had just turned 8! This was the show that kick started it all. One of our favorite shows EVER!  And 4 years later, this past show, we debuted an unreleased song, "My My My" (a nostalgic look back at the kids growing up), as well as the KPL mash up Dean Jones original, "Just Another Finger." As a performer, there's nothing like playing fresh material. Always mad love at the TNP!

My, my, my how we've grown!

Here's a pic of the whole fam on our way to Little Tokyo.

Chocolatey Chipness in July of 2013

What's on the horizon this 2013 July? Well, well, well....

Mistic & the Mista: Mista Cookie Jar @ Mystic Aquarium! 

Calling all Connecticut Chocolate Chips! July 17, Mista Cookie Jar & Ava Flava will be rocking out with Steve Elci & Friends as part of the Kidsploration Concert Series at Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut! We are the first in a stellar summer lineup including Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band, Miss-Amy Kids, and The Okee Dokee Brothers. And yes, there will be Sea Lions!!!!

Performances in the Foxwoods Marine Theatre start at 2:30pm and are FREE with your admission. Click here for Mystic Aquarium website and more details!

Also, peep this video to learn more about Kidsploration Concert Series at Mystic Aquarium:

Spotlight Mystic Aquarium from NBC Connecticut on Vimeo.

89.3 KPCC  Crawford Family Forum: 
Music for Kids (and Their Grown-Ups): Lisa Loeb, Aaron Nigel Smith, and Mista Cookie Jar
 


July 27 at 10:30 am, I will be part of a panel and on-air concert about family music on 89.3 KPCC. The panel will feature myself as well as these two extremely talented family music artists:  Lisa Loeb (yes, the Lisa Loeb who sings, "Stay") and Aaron Nigel Smith.  I am fans of both musicians -- they go above and beyond as artists and bridge builders in the community. Check out this fabulous TED Talk by Lisa Loeb and this video about Aaron Nigel Smith's One World Chorus, Jamaica. It will be hosted by "Take Two" host (and roller derby extraordinaire), Alex Cohen. It's an honor to be on the panel, indeed.

The event will be at the Crawford Family Forum in Pasadena, Ca.  10:00am - Doors Open, 10:30am - Program. Admission is FREE, but RSVPs are required. Click here for details. 

For those not in the area, there will be a live stream here! Video and audio will be archived at http://www.scpr.org/ as well!

For rest of the MCJ tour dates this summer, click here.

Free Download: Just Another Finger - MCJ Cover of Dog On Fleas song

This is a Mista Cookie Jar cover of the Dog On Fleas original. This particular thumb homage was conceived for Sirius XM Kids Place Live's 2013 "Kindie Mashup." A handful of some of the awesomest indie kids music artists (Kindie) linked up and traded songs with each other for a fantabulous radio concert airing Memorial Day weekend 2013. This is NOT the live version -- to hear the live version (featuring the Not Its! and Dean Jones himself) and all the glorious mashups listen to KPL/Sirius XM 78, Memorial Day Weekend!

Check out what the KPL Kindie Mashup is all about here:www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIQNhdDUWNo

Check out the original "Just Another Finger" by Dog On Fleas here on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z3JxVeZqTQ

For more great music by the Grammy Award winning songwriter/producer Dean Jones and his duo, Dog On Fleas, go to:www.dogonfleas.com

lyrics

Lyrics:

"Just Another Finger"

Well, hello!
Now how ya doin?
My name is Thumb.
I'm just a finger from ya hand, 
I'm the stumpiest one.
I wanna tell u who I am,
I'm so happy to meet ya
If u really wanna know,
I'll be happy to teach ya.
Yeah?!
Ok, I'm the kinda finger,
that u wouldn't put a ring on,
Not rilly, unless the ring
was kinda silly.
Cuz it couldn't be Itty biity
It have to be biggie biggie
To fitty on that finga.
Iz u feelin me?
R u?
Anywho, thumb's got ememies.
I be that finger
with a keen wrestling ability.
Wanna settle a score?
Declare thumb war.
When the battle is on.
It's time to sing out this song, it goes:


Well i don't know why people love me so much
i guess i just have a magical touch
I just try to have me some fun
well c'mon everybody sing along with me, huh

I'm just another finger but they call me the thumb.

Now if u wanna visit planets
of an Alien race.
Ya stick ya thumb out at a spaceship heading to outerspace
See now, ya thumb is super handy,
when u play slap bass
In an elevator thumbs up
will mean: UP and Away!
Hey!
Thumbs up for the movie.
2 down to the ground
if it wasn't too groovy. 
Ima stand up
when I really dig what ya mean
and if I'm good with gardens
Well, u can call me green.
I'm like essential
when ya finger counting 5 to 10.
And I bring the party down
Time and time again
With my da da da da da double jointed
Da da da dance moves.
my da da da da da double jointed
Da da da dance moves.
I'm like shommow mow
paa paa oo mow ma mow.
I'm like brady bunch baby
Da Way I gets on down.
All thumbs pointin left
All thumbs pointin right
we be workin thumb magic all night!
Oooooaw!

Well I went to see a band just the other night
I say, the band was real hot and everything was alright
my good friend's pointer and pinky were there.
they got the devil horn sign all up in the air

I'm just another finger but they call me the thumb.

credits

released 25 May 2013
Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Vocals, Back Up Vocals, & Drums - Mista Cookie Jar
Rap Lyrics - Mista Cookie Jar
Song Lyrics - Dean Jones
Original Song by Dog On Fleas
Song originally appeared on Sirius Xm Kids Place Live "Kindie Mash Up" 2013 Memorial Day Weekend

Mista Cookie Jar is going to Boston, Mother's Day 2013!

Boston area friends, fans, & family, it is a privilege to announce that Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips will be performing at the One Family Music Festival in Boston on Mother's Day, May 12:

"The One Family Music Festival was created to help Boston area families heal after the tragic events surrounding the 2013 Boston Marathon. It is intended as a time for families to come together to celebrate Boston as the safe, vibrant place families have always enjoyed, and to reclaim the city for our children."

A true honor to be sharing the stage with many of Boston's great Kindie acts including, Josh & The Jamtones, Ben Rudnick and Friends, Alastair Moock,Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys, Stacey Peasley Children's Music and Karen K & the Jitterbugs (Jitterbugs NYC)!

The One Family Music Festival
to benefit The One Fund Boston
Sunday,
May 12, 2013
12pm - 5pm

The Exchange Conference Center
Boston Fish Pier,
212 Northern Ave
Boston, MA 02210

http://www.onefamilymusicfestival.com/

The MCJ Zooglobble Interview

Thanks to Stefan Shepard at Zooglobble, I'm happy to present to you the Mista Cookie Jar Zooglobble Interview!

"C.J. Pizarro -- AKA Mista Cookie Jar -- has a musical style that is as brightly multi-layered as the outfits and sets of his many videos.  It stands out and while positivity is in no way in short supply on the kindie scene, the way MCJ weaves that into his entire musical philosophy is stronger than most.

In the interview below, Pizarro talks about his many childhood memories (musical and otherwise), how his career as Mista Cookie Jar and the Chocolate Chips has evolved, and news of lots of new projects from him."

Click HERE to read the rest of the interview.

Kindiefest 2013: MCJ will be a panelist!

Good news folks: I'll be speaking at Kindiefest 2013! I'm part of a panel called, "Artists to Artists: Managing Self-Management Kindie-Style". Check out the badge they sent me as proof:


Kindiefest will be held April 26 to 28. I will be speaking probably on the 27th or 26th--stay tuned for a confirmation!

Below's the Kindiefest.com writeup about my panel. If you're interested in contributing to the great, wild, & wonderful Kindie movement, I'd suggest going. It's an awesome & inspiring time!

Artists to Artists: Managing Self-Management Kindie-Style - Being a musician can’t be separated from running a business.  Here, we’ll talk about how to manage the many logistics of running your own business in the world of kindie music. Exploring the challenges of self-management from focusing and fine tuning the creative process, while booking your own tour, while overseeing your publicity and marketing, while managing your own accounts and often while raising your own family!

Panelists: Rachel Loshak – Moderator (Gustafer Yellowgold), Tim Kubart (Tim and the Space Cadets, Little Rock-Its by Frolic!), Charlie Hope (Artist), Mista Cookie Jar (Artist)

New Video for Valentine's Day: "Lover Not A Fighter"

It's a throwback to the Soul Train era but with a kindie-rocker-kid-hop twist. The 9th official Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips music video, "Lover Not a Fighter," stars Ava Flava, Mista Cookie Jar, & some hip dancers from back when TVs were way heavy.

Valentine's Day special, FREE track download all day February 14th, 2013: http://mistacookiejar.bandcamp.com/track/lover-not-a-fighter

Directed by Andrew Choe (an awesome guy)
Lighting by Wesley Von Tracy (another awesome dude)
Camera by Juan Ramirez (yet again, more awesome)
Written, Edited, & Produced by Mista Cookie Jar & The Chocolate Chips
Filmed at the LoveShipBubbleTron (the backyard)
Big thanks to Erica for the awesome vocal and dance coaching.
RIP Don C.

In May 2012, Cool Mom Tech named "Lover Not a Fighter" the Kids' Music Download of the Week.

"...a 70's era, Jackson Five-esque song that will have you and the kids dancing....Lover Not a Fighter begins with sounds reminiscent of The Jackson Five's I Want You Back. From there though, the three-minute bit of funky deliciousness is made modern with the mad-skills rap of tween Ava Flava and clever word play of Mista Cookie Jar.

Besides, the "just get along" lyrics are way cooler than me telling the kids to stop fighting for the hundredth time on a Sunday. Let's hope they get the message."

-Cool Mom Tech

Read more: http://www.coolmomtech.com/2012/05/kids_music_download_of_the_wee_22.php#ixzz2KDVZHcc2

"Lover Not a Fighter" is 4th video release from Mista Cookie Jar's sophomore album, "Ultramagnetic Universal Love Revolution," which can be purchased or streamed here:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mistacookiejarthechocola

Lyrics: I got swag to click my clack
And I don't back down from nada.
But trust these words
Now, first things first.
See I'm a lover not a fighter.
Ain't too cool to break lame rules.
Cuz I know new school's the brighter.
But old school eyes
and wisdom's why
I be a lover not a fighter. Oh!

Kid, try to step to me?
I try to put it down gent-a-ly
If ya can't GET with it
Ya gots to STICK with it.
Nothing comes with e-a-s-e.
Ya gotta learn how to spell out ya dreams.
Don't just leave it for the birds to sing.
Cuz in high definition ya can't help but listen.
No one messing with a melody.

Becuz, I got swag to click my clack
And I don't back down from nada.
But trust these words
Now, first things first.
See I'm a lover not a fighter.
Ain't too cool to break lame rules.
Cuz I know new school's the brighter.
But old school eyes
and wisdom's why
I be a lover not a fighter.

So now, here's the deal.
Ya gotta stop ur whinin'.
(Just stop ur whinin'.)
And I mean, for real!
There's no use for cryin'.
(No use for cryin'.)
Ya got to be a lover or be quiet.
(Be a lover or shut up!)
I tell ya now ya got to feel it,
baby, feel it! U can't fight it!

Ava:
When I was just a kid I wouldn't make my bed.
I would throw my stuffed dino at my brother's head.
But don't call me evil. He would throw em back.
Poor mom, she would almost have a heart attack.
My best friend, Mikyla--I call her sister.
One time she tried to pocket all my Polly Pockets.
So I pinched her. (Oh no!)
I can't say I wouldn't do it again.
But now I'm older. And now I know how to be a friend. Yep!
So now I've learned how to play the game. Yep!
Now big sista gotta lead the way. Yep!
Show my brotha how to make the change
to be a lover on the day to day.
Face to face, we all just the same inside.
We show responsibility to build our pride.
Stay proud! No reason why u should hide it.
Sing loud! Gotta feel it, baby, u can't fight it. Cmon!

So now ya feelin' like your soul is free
cuz u been hustling like an athlete.
Now that u feel strong go sing ur song
cuz little homie u put in your t-i-m-e.
Sometimes u gotta fight for peace,
but when ur strong u just love and lead.
So all u boys and girls go show this world
just how the good life's meant to be.

Now lookie here, becuz
I got swag to click my clack
And I don't back down from nada.
But trust these words
Now, first things first.
See I'm a lover not a fighter.
If u can't make peace with this funk
Ya better pump that sanitizer.
It's not just words behind these germs.
See I'm a lover not a fighter.

Now, here's the deal. Ya gotta stop ur whinin'. (Just stop ur whinin'.)
And I mean, for real! There's no use for cryin'. (No use for cryin'.)
Ya got to be a lover or be quiet. (Be a lover or shut up!)
I tell ya now ya got to feel it, baby, feel it! U can't fight it!

Big Apple, here we come...AGAIN!

Hey NYC folks, looking for some family fun this weekend? Touring our latest album, "Ultramagnetic Universal Love Revolution," the Chocolate Chips and I have 3 shows: 1 in Manhattan & 2 in Long Island!

Sat Jan 26, 2013 - 11am - Symphony Space

http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/7592-mista-cookie-jar-and-the-chocolate-chips
ADULTS $25, Members $21 KIDS $15, Members $13

Sun January 27 - 1pm & 3pm - Long Island Children's Museum.
http://nassau.nymetroparents.com/2011neweventinfo.cfm?id=124782
Ages: 3 and up. Fee: $4 with Museum admission ($3 LICM members), $10

theater only. 

Time Out says: Mista Cookie Jar, aka C.J. Pizarro, blends together hip-hop, reggae, and folk-rock in songs all inspired by love. The Chocolate Chips, Ava Flava, age 11 and Joey the Dog, age 9, join him on stage for a lively show backed by a large screen featuring animations and song lyrics so you can sing along.