Vince Guaraldi discography: History and Key Facts

Vince Guaraldi was an American jazz pianist and composer whose discography encompasses albums released as a leader, collaborative recordings, soundtrack albums, live albums, compilation and archival releases, singles, and numerous appearances as a sideman. His commercially released recording career began in the early 1950s with ensembles led by Cal Tjader, followed by work as a bandleader and sessions with other West Coast jazz musicians.

Guaraldi began recording under his own name in the mid-1950s. His early albums included Vince Guaraldi Trio (1956) and A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing (1957), followed by Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus (1962). The latter included "Cast Your Fate to the Wind", which became a crossover hit and won the Grammy Award for Best Original Jazz Composition.

During the 1960s, Guaraldi also recorded extensively with Brazilian guitarist Bola Sete. Their jointly billed releases are treated separately from Guaraldi's principal studio albums because of their collaborative billing and performance history.

Beginning in 1963, Guaraldi composed music for animated productions based on Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts comic strip. After scoring the unaired documentary A Boy Named Charlie Brown, he became closely associated with the franchise's holiday television specials. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) featured "Linus and Lucy", "Christmas Time Is Here", "Skating" and "Christmas Is Coming"; It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) introduced "The Great Pumpkin Waltz"; and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973) included "Thanksgiving Theme" and "Little Birdie".

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