Vince Guaraldi | |
---|---|
![]() Guaraldi in 1963 | |
Born | Vincent Anthony Dellaglio[1] July 17, 1928 |
Died | February 6, 1976 Menlo Park, California, U.S. | (aged 47)
Other names |
|
Education | |
Occupations |
|
Known for | |
Spouse | Shirley Moskowitz
(m. 1953; div. 1970) |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instruments |
|
Years active | 1953–1976 |
Labels |
|
Website | Vince Guaraldi |
Vincent Anthony Guaraldi (/ɡəˈrældi/; né Dellaglio, July 17, 1928 – February 6, 1976) was an American jazz pianist best known for composing music for animated television adaptations of the Peanuts comic strip. His compositions for this series included their signature melody "Linus and Lucy" and the holiday standard "Christmas Time Is Here". Guaraldi is also known for his performances on piano as a member of Cal Tjader's 1950s ensembles and for his own solo career. Guaraldi's 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 heart attack on February 6, 1976, at age 47, moments after concluding a nightclub performance in Menlo Park, California.