Vincent Anthony Guaraldi (July 17, 1928 – February 6, 1976), born Vincent Anthony Dellaglio, was an American jazz pianist noted for his innovative compositions and arrangements and for composing music for animated television adaptations of the Peanuts comic strip including their signature melody, “Linus and Lucy” and the holiday standard, “Christmas Time Is Here”. He is also known for his performances on piano as a member of Cal Tjader’s 1950s ensembles and for his own solo career. His 1962 composition “Cast Your Fate to the Wind” became a radio hit and won a Grammy Award in 1963 for Best Original Jazz Composition. He died of a sudden heart attack at age 47 in February 1976 moments after finishing a nightclub performance in Menlo Park, California.
instruments played
Associated Acts
Cal Tjader Bola Sete Brew Moore Woody Herman Gus Mancuso Frank Rosolino Conte Candoli Stan Getz Jimmy Witherspoon Jerry Granelli Ben Webster Grateful Dead
Birth Name
Vincent Anthony Dellaglio[http://www.i-italy.org/16339/vince-guaraldi-sound-yuletide-these-shores "Vince Guaraldi--the sound of Yuletide on these shores"] i-ITALY, December 24, 2010
Education
Lincoln High School San Francisco State College
Genres
West Coast jazz Latin Jazz Bossa nova Soundtrack
Known For
Peanuts animated music scores ("Linus and Lucy", "Christmas Time Is Here") "Cast Your Fate to the Wind"
Labels
Fantasy Concord Craft Warner Bros.-Seven Arts Omnivore D & D V.A.G. Publishing Columbia Masterworks Kritzerland
Occupation
Musician composer arranger producer
Other Names
"Dr. Funk" "The Italian Leprechaun"
Spouses
Shirley Moskowitz (m. 1953; div. 1970)
Website
Years Active
1953 1976
Name
Vince Guaraldi
Nationality
United States of America