OPEN POST: Manor Music Monday With The Masterful Vince Guaraldi!

Greetings music slutinos, and welcome to a special Winter Holiday Edition of Manor Music Monday! For me, the holidays aren't complete without a few things, like delicious dark chocolate, squealing chirruns and Vince Guaraldi. If that name is unfamiliar to you, I'll bet his music isn't, since he composed the indelible music for "A Charlie Brown Christmas," a 1965 TV special that's all but imprinted on our minds, much like "The Wizard of Oz." And just like the music was important to "The Wizard of Oz," it was crucial to "A Charlie Brown Music," conveying not only seasonal giggles 'n fun, but Charlie Brown's deeply melancholic state of mind. And perhaps most head-turning of all for a mass-market TV special in the mid-60s, the score was jazz. 

In fact, it was the very first time jazz was used prominently in animation - for the big or small screen - giving Peanuts a wholly unique, sophisticated, yet accessible sound. The soundtrack album remains one of the best selling jazz albums of all time. 

It was "Charlie Brown" producer Lee Mendelson who first thought Vince would be a perfect fit, but CBS objected - and strenuously. Just as strenuously, Lee and Charles Schulz pushed back - repeatedly. The back and forth went on for so long that Vince's score was hastily composed and recorded almost at the last second, with some sections reputed to be improvised on the spot. Regardless, it fit the special perfectly. 

The score continues to introduce generations of children to jazz - as it did with yours truly. "Gateway jazz," it's sometimes affectionally called. As for Vince himself, he started out as a young West Coast beatnik piano player in the 1950s - "Dr. Funk," as he was called - and was also part of the "cool jazz" set, whose style can best be described as a "laid-back" version of bebop, one that focused on much softer tones, relaxed tempos and strong, lyrical melodies (a sharp contrast to bebop's frantic free-for-all energy). Vince began performing in local jazz clubs, played piano for Cal Tjader, then set out on his own, making his mark with the truly fantastic "Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus," a must-listen 1962 album featuring the surprise hit, "Cast Your Fate to the Wind," which won a Grammy for Best Original Jazz Composition. Not too long after, the Peanuts gang came calling. 

Sadly, Vince died when he was only 47 years-old from a heart attack, but he was remarkably prolific before then, recording over 20 jazz LPs, while also touring with his band to jazz haunts worldwide. 

For his part, DJ Li'l Scratch is spinning Vince at The Manor's annual Winter Holiday Bacchanal tonight. The entire 4th floor is reserved for the party, music and delicious treats; the entire 5th floor for guests seeking to freely engage in open and unrestrained activities, and, yes, there will be rubber flooring. Oh, and DJ Li'l Scratch won't just be playing Vince's Christmas tunes, but a wondrous mix of all his tunes, so hit play below, enjoy some drinks 'n nosh and get your Dr. Funk on! You'll be so glad you did. 

What are you listening to this week? DJ Li'l Scratch wants to know.
Till next time...purr, bitches, purr! 🐾

Photo Credits: Getty Images; Craft/Fantasy/Concord Recordings