Jazz Articles about Vince Guaraldi

About Vince Guaraldi

Multiple Reviews

Vince Guaraldi: Animated Indeed

by Doug Collette
May 18, 2025

Pianist/composer Vince Guaraldi had already made a name for himself before he became progenitor of soundtracks for the animated television programs based on Charles M. Schulz' 'Peanuts' characters. Accordingly, it is arguable that, even as Guaraldi enthusiastically embraced his new opportunity, he also knew his very name lent credibility to those projects; after all, he won a Grammy Award for 'Best Original Jazz Composition' in 1963 for the version of “Cast Your Fate to the Wind" released the previous year. ...

Album Review

Vince Guaraldi: It's The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown!

Read "It's The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown!" reviewed by Joshua Weiner

by Joshua Weiner
April 6, 2025

The series of complete Peanuts television special soundtracks put out by Lee Mendelson Film Productions continues to thrill fans of Vince Guaraldi, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and all the gang. After the highly successful Christmas, Halloween, and Thanksgiving animated specials, the stage was set for 1974's It's The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown! Recorded over two days at Wally Heider Studios in Guaraldi's hometown of San Francisco, the soundtrack--resurrected for the first time from the 16-track master tape and freshly mixed--features the ...

Album Review

Vince Guaraldi: Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown

Read "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown" reviewed by Joshua Weiner

by Joshua Weiner
January 29, 2025

The series of complete Peanuts television special soundtracks put out by Lee Mendelson Film Productions continues to provide a treasure trove of musical delights for fans of Vince Guaraldi, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and all the gang. Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown came out in 1975, and it certainly sounds like it, thanks to the expanded palette of instruments available to Guaraldi. In addition to the piano and electric piano featured on earlier specials, we hear the new ARP Solina String ...

Album Review

Vince Guaraldi: You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown

Read "You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown" reviewed by Joshua Weiner

by Joshua Weiner
August 22, 2024

Many a jazz fan was first exposed to the music through pianist Vince Guaraldi's soundtracks for the long series of animated television specials featuring Charles Schulz's evergreen Peanuts characters. That alone would secure Guaraldi's place in the jazz pantheon, but he is also remembered as a composer of the hit song “Cast Your Fate to the Wind" as well as for his forays into Brazilian music, including the popular 1962 album Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus (Fantasy) and a series ...

Radio & Podcasts

Ray Gallon, Larry Young, Rachel Eckroth & Vince Guaraldi

by Joe Dimino
November 26, 2023

We are kicking off the 2023 holiday season and the 830th Episode of Neon Jazz in style with Vince Guaraldi leading the march of a never-before-released Charle Brown Thanksgiving. From there, we get into a host of tasty jazz from Rachel Eckroth, Janet Evra and Maria Grapsa. We also get some perennial music from heavyweights Petros Klampanis, Ray Gallon and Mike DiRubbo. The father-son duo of John and David Sneider also get into the mix with their debut album Sneid ...

Album Review

Vince Guaraldi: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Read "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" reviewed by James Aren

by James Aren
November 14, 2023

Just in time for Thanksgiving, the people at Lee Mendelson films are serving up a fresh take on some old favorites. The soundtrack to a A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving has been released for the first time, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the special. Vince Guaraldi's voice is the first sound on the album. “Okay, well, did ya get that last one? This is cue one," as it swings into “Charlie Brown Blues." It is a good introduction ...

Album Review

Vince Guaraldi: It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: Music from the Soundtrack

Read "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: Music from the Soundtrack" reviewed by Mark Sullivan

by Mark Sullivan
November 25, 2022

The 2018 release of this 1966 animated television special soundtrack made the music available for the first time. Pianist/composer Vince Guaraldi led a sextet (rather than his usual trio), resulting in richer-sounding, more complex arrangements. This is arguably the best expression of classic Peanuts music. But since the session tapes could not be found, the producers were forced to use the film soundtrack as the audio source. So, the recording quality was less than optimal, and some cues included sound ...