Vince Guaraldi
Vincent Anthony Guaraldi ( July 17, 1928 in San Francisco, California, † February 6, 1976 in Menlo Park, California ) was an American jazz musician ( pianist and composer ). Has become famous for his music, the American animated television series The Peanuts, based on the eponymous comics by Charles M. Schulz.
Short Biography
Vince Guaraldi attended Lincoln High School and then studied at San Francisco State College. During his college years, he performed in clubs like the Black Hawk and Jackson 's Nook, for example, with the Chubby Jackson / Bill Harris band or Sonny Criss. He also played on smaller events such as weddings. His first recording session took place in 1951; he had published in 1953 on the album The Cal Tjader Trio ( Fantasy) with. In 1955 he formed his first trio with his longtime friend Eddie Duran on guitar and Dean Reilly on bass. It was followed by appearances in the hungry i club in North Beach, where his special piano style to the big attraction was. Thus, the " Guaraldi sound " was born. With this lineup, the trio recorded two records: Vince Guaraldi Trio ( 1956) and A Flower Is a Lonesome Thing ( 1957). In 1956, Guaraldi toured with Woody Herman's Thundering Herd band when he replaced for a season Nat Pierce on piano.
Inspired by the French- Portuguese film Orfeu Negro ( 1959) he took in 1962 as the Jazz Impression of Black Orpheus on his interpretation of the film music of legendary Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim. The song " Samba de Orpheus " was released as the first single from the album. Looking for a suitable B-side Guaraldis producers finally landed in a revised version of the original song "Cast Your Fate to the Wind", which was a great success and in 1963 even the Grammy for "Best Instrumental Jazz Composition " won. In 1964 he continued his bossa nova adaptations continues with guitarist Bola Sete. Guaraldis greatest success stems from his music for the TV cartoon show A Charlie Brown Christmas of 1965. Until his death he delivered the music to all other previously produced Peanuts TV episodes.
Vince Guaraldi died aged 47 in 1976 of a heart attack while he waited between two sets at Butterfield's Nightclub in Menlo Park in a motel room on his appearance.