Music: A Tribute to Vince Guaraldi

Ever heard of Vince Guaraldi? If you haven't, you've probably heard his music:



Vince Guaraldi (1928-1976) was a jazz musician who composed the score for the animated "Peanuts" specials (most notably the famous "Linus and Lucy" theme, which has become one of the world's most famous piano pieces). These compositions, when coupled with the popularity of the "Peanuts" cartoons, helped to inspire generations of jazz pianists.

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" is the score that really put Guaraldi on the map. His reworkings of traditional Christmas songs have a rollicking, playful quality because they aren't as adorned as typical Christmas jazz songs. Guaraldi's original tracks, like the slightly melancholy "Christmas Time is Here," showed off refined musical sensibilities; many are now jazz standards in their own right.

Unfortunately, Mr. Guaraldi died at the age of 47 from an unexpected heart attack. During December, though, when "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is played on televisions across the country, his legacy lives on.