Buzz
Vince Guaraldi is widely celebrated for his jazz compositions in A Charlie Brown Christmas. The Charlie Brown soundtrack remains a timeless classic, cherished for over fifty years. However, there's much more to Guaraldi, affectionately known as 'Dr. Funk' by his friends, than just the Peanuts tunes. He created a wealth of music that’s just as captivating, and here are five standout albums from this San Francisco jazz icon.
1. The Latin Side of Vince Guaraldi (1964)
This album embodies the smooth, Latin-inspired jazz of the mid-1960s. Light, breezy, and effortlessly cool, it's perfect background music for a dinner party—just dim the lights and let the rhythm flow.
2. A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing (1957)
Vince Guaraldi's second album with his trio, A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing, is perfect for background work music. It's smooth, sophisticated, and subtly calming.
3. From All Sides (With Bola Sete) (1964)
Guaraldi frequently teamed up with Brazilian guitarist Bola Sete, producing three remarkable albums: Vince Guaraldi, Bola Sete and Friends, From All Sides, and Live at El Matador. Each is a gem. The synergy between Guaraldi on piano and Sete’s classical guitar is truly captivating.
For those interested, Vince Guaraldi, Bola Sete and Friends is available in full on YouTube. The video linked above shows just one of many Guaraldi/Sete performances (from Jazz Casual in 1963).
4. Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus (1962)
This album marked Guaraldi's big break, especially with the hit track "Cast Your Fate to the Wind," which earned a Grammy and went Gold. That song, in particular, captures the groove and style that would later define his iconic Charlie Brown compositions. As the title suggests, the album features performances inspired by the soundtrack to the film Black Orpheus. Another standout is Guaraldi's tender interpretation of "Moon River."
5. Alma-Ville (1970)
Guaraldi’s final studio album, Alma-Ville, showcases his mastery of Latin jazz. On the track "Uno Y Uno," he even swaps his piano for an electric guitar (!). This album is pure Latin jazz bliss, with highlights including a jazzy version of The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby," which is embedded above. Truly a beautiful record.
All of these albums can be streamed, and in recent years, excellent CD remasters have been released. Some tracks are even available on YouTube (like The Latin Side of Vince Guaraldi linked above). Take some time to search, and you'll discover them.
Bonus tip: If you’re a fan of Guaraldi’s Charlie Brown music, be sure to check out George Winston’s 1996 album Linus and Lucy: The Music of Vince Guaraldi. It begins with an incredible rendition of "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" and only gets better from there.
