Vincent Anthony "Vince" Guaraldi (July 17, 1928 - February 6, 1976) was an … Read Full Bio ↴Vincent Anthony "Vince" Guaraldi (July 17, 1928 - February 6, 1976) was an Italian-American musician and composer. Primarily a pianist, known for his breezy and playful improvisational voicings, Guaraldi cultivated his own innovative brand of jazz music. As primary tunesmith for a number of animated adaptations of the comic strip Peanuts, his influence on young potential jazz listeners was vast. Notably, his soundtrack album to the special of the same name, A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965), is regarded as one of the greatest Christmas albums.
Born Vincent Anthony Dellaglio in San Francisco, the "city by the bay" would remain Guaraldi's base of operations throughout his life, with Guaraldi eventually becoming a significant proponent of west coast jazz. Guaraldi's first recorded work was as part of trio with Cal Tjader in 1953. By 1955, Guaraldi had formed his own trio; in contrast to his later, more well-known work, his earlier music was decidedly morose and classically-inspired, as well as lacking drum accompaniment. Moreover, his actual compositional output was vastly outnumbered by cover versions.
Inspired by the 1959 film Black Orpheus, the trio recorded an album featuring renditions of songs from its soundtrack, as well as original compositions inspired by the film; one such original song, "Cast Your Fate to the Wind", became an award-winning best seller of its time, peaking at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100. Subsequent vocal versions (with lyrics by Carel Werber) also charted. "Cast Your Fate..." also ensured Guaraldi's hiring as composer for a number of planned animated adaptations of the world-famous Peanuts comic strip.
Guaraldi's first composition for Peanuts was "Linus and Lucy", a theme for the characters of Lucy and Linus van Pelt, which he first played over the phone to producer Lee Mendelson. Featured in the famous "dancing scene" from A Charlie Brown Christmas, it has been mistakenly assumed by many to be the "Peanuts Theme", when in fact Guaraldi never composed such a theme; the specials tended to have their own individual themes. Regardless, it would become Guaraldi's greatest-known work, being among the most recognizable pieces of music in the world.
A Charlie Brown Christmas, the first proper animated outing for the Peanuts franchise, became an unexpected success upon its first airing, thanks in no small part to Guaraldi's timeless score, mixing holiday standards with original tunes with Guaraldi's laid-back, acoustic jazz style. One particular song from the album, "Christmas Time Is Here", has become a Christmas standard in its own right. It has remained a steady yearly seller for almost five decades, and has never been out of print.
As the '60s began to come to an end, Guaraldi became enamored with electronic sounds and synthesizer devices, in particular the Fender Rhodes brand electric piano, which would color his scores for Peanuts specials as well. Though the recorded output through the duration of his life would remain lamentably small, Guaraldi continued to play live on a regular basis, more than happy to mix his Peanuts music with jazz standards and contemporary pop music.
On February 6, 1976, while between sets at the night spot Butterfield's in Menlo Park, Vince Guaraldi died of causes variously attributed to either an aortic aneurysm or a heart attack. The last song he ever performed was a cover version of "Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles. He had completed his underscore for the special It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown that very same day. Music from Peanuts was played over a public announcement system at his funeral.
Mostly owing to the jazz establishment changing its focus towards New York and more experimental forms of jazz, the melodically-minded Guaraldi never gained much recognition from jazz critics and peers of his time. Nevertheless, Guaraldi's music grows more and more appreciated with each passing year; historians have observed that scores of musicians and fans alike have attributed their love of jazz to watching, and listening to, Peanuts specials as children. Scores for subsequent Peanuts specials tend to feature at least one Guaraldi original; a testament to his importance to the specials.
Born Vincent Anthony Dellaglio in San Francisco, the "city by the bay" would remain Guaraldi's base of operations throughout his life, with Guaraldi eventually becoming a significant proponent of west coast jazz. Guaraldi's first recorded work was as part of trio with Cal Tjader in 1953. By 1955, Guaraldi had formed his own trio; in contrast to his later, more well-known work, his earlier music was decidedly morose and classically-inspired, as well as lacking drum accompaniment. Moreover, his actual compositional output was vastly outnumbered by cover versions.
Inspired by the 1959 film Black Orpheus, the trio recorded an album featuring renditions of songs from its soundtrack, as well as original compositions inspired by the film; one such original song, "Cast Your Fate to the Wind", became an award-winning best seller of its time, peaking at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100. Subsequent vocal versions (with lyrics by Carel Werber) also charted. "Cast Your Fate..." also ensured Guaraldi's hiring as composer for a number of planned animated adaptations of the world-famous Peanuts comic strip.
Guaraldi's first composition for Peanuts was "Linus and Lucy", a theme for the characters of Lucy and Linus van Pelt, which he first played over the phone to producer Lee Mendelson. Featured in the famous "dancing scene" from A Charlie Brown Christmas, it has been mistakenly assumed by many to be the "Peanuts Theme", when in fact Guaraldi never composed such a theme; the specials tended to have their own individual themes. Regardless, it would become Guaraldi's greatest-known work, being among the most recognizable pieces of music in the world.
A Charlie Brown Christmas, the first proper animated outing for the Peanuts franchise, became an unexpected success upon its first airing, thanks in no small part to Guaraldi's timeless score, mixing holiday standards with original tunes with Guaraldi's laid-back, acoustic jazz style. One particular song from the album, "Christmas Time Is Here", has become a Christmas standard in its own right. It has remained a steady yearly seller for almost five decades, and has never been out of print.
As the '60s began to come to an end, Guaraldi became enamored with electronic sounds and synthesizer devices, in particular the Fender Rhodes brand electric piano, which would color his scores for Peanuts specials as well. Though the recorded output through the duration of his life would remain lamentably small, Guaraldi continued to play live on a regular basis, more than happy to mix his Peanuts music with jazz standards and contemporary pop music.
On February 6, 1976, while between sets at the night spot Butterfield's in Menlo Park, Vince Guaraldi died of causes variously attributed to either an aortic aneurysm or a heart attack. The last song he ever performed was a cover version of "Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles. He had completed his underscore for the special It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown that very same day. Music from Peanuts was played over a public announcement system at his funeral.
Mostly owing to the jazz establishment changing its focus towards New York and more experimental forms of jazz, the melodically-minded Guaraldi never gained much recognition from jazz critics and peers of his time. Nevertheless, Guaraldi's music grows more and more appreciated with each passing year; historians have observed that scores of musicians and fans alike have attributed their love of jazz to watching, and listening to, Peanuts specials as children. Scores for subsequent Peanuts specials tend to feature at least one Guaraldi original; a testament to his importance to the specials.
My Little Drum
Vince Guaraldi Lyrics
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George Bauerschmidt
As a kid when I first heard "The Little Drummer Boy" by the "Harry Simeone Chorale" (1941) it was that version that made me love the fictional story. Stories in music were like reading a book giving me the chance to envision the events in my head like a dream but the music also adds the ability to be the soundtrack to this internalized movie.
However, this version of the song was quite different and made me sad as in my head I had a vision of a homeless man with his little dog walking the streets looking for warmth and comfort but being turned away. The song always seems sad, tired, and lonely but hoping for a change that never comes. Without words and only hearing the music, much like the lack of words being shared with the lonely homeless man, the focus remains on the children that can see the happiness and joy of Christmas.
The sound of the children's choir is also a reminder of lost youth as they are scampering along with their activities while the man finds his way to sit at a lonely park bench, his dog at his side watching others bustling along with their holiday shopping., but no one speaking to him. Just alone in his memories, smiling up at those that don't know the harshness of old age.
It's weird, but the song makes me sad with the futility of finding happiness while being alone just knowing that it's Christmas and watching the joy on the faces of others and wishing to be part of their merriment and joy.
I feel like I need to create a video with this concept to purge it out of my system.
jasonpp1973
Greatest Xmas albums of all time imo, no particular order:
A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Merry (aka White) Christmas by Bing Crosby
The Beach Boys Christmas Album
Snowfall by Tony Bennett
Jolly Christmas by Frank Sinatra
Christmas Song by Nat King Cole
cellini051
It's the middle of June and I'm sitting here crying over this song. When I was little we would always put this album on when we decorated the Christmas tree. I'm 20 now, and I know I'm not that old, but that feels like a lifetime ago. It's crazy how a song like this can take you on a journey. This whole album is amazing!
HAVEN THE BEAST 2
I love apples
Poseidon Vlogs
Im 15 now and it’s the 3rd of July and im Listening to this and I still cry when listening to this
Sean Sullivan
I'm 54 and it still brings tears to my eyes! Enjoy!!
Breakwater
A Christmas masterpiece, never fails to get me in the warmest of moods.
Flo Rider 2024
This made me tear up and i dont know why. I am at a very frustrating stage of my life and maybe I just remember hearing this with nothing but joy in my heart. Everything seems so complicated now. I long for that feeling of pure innocence and happiness and family in my childhood during Christmastime
Lenny Augello
@Flo Rider 2024 Allllright!!! Happy to hear.
Flo Rider 2024
@R You'll make it through this, even if it seems there is no end in sight to the hard times, just know its there. Remember what you're fighting for, carry your passion with you and press forward. You got this
Flo Rider 2024
Thank you everyone who reached out wishing me well this Christmas season. I thank God I have healthy family and friends and I have learned to appreciate the time I have with them, and around this Christmas season we were in high spirits and made time to cut out the stresses of the world. Reading these comments inspires me to pass forward love and positivity as often as possible because we all need those at a moments notice sometimes, it can make all the difference for someone.
Lenny Augello
After 2 years I'm hoping you're doing better. Remember that there are people who you don't even know that are pulling for you. And yes.... Pure innocence of youth can get you all the time... It's normal. God bless, and go out and be a blessing for someone else.