Wednesday, November 20, 2024

A Jolly Guaraldi Holiday 2024

As Charlie Brown would say, Good grief!

Talk about a growth industry...

By mid-December last year, this annual round-up of Guaraldi-themed concerts had grown to an astonishing length, with a whopping 171 entries — several of which cited multiple bookings for the given group — which was a massive jump over 2022. I expected some increase, given that Covid fears had eased ... but I sure wasn't prepared for an explosion of such magnitude.

Will it happen again this year?

Too soon to tell, since fresh bookings continue to be announced throughout the first half of December.

Call this a good start, then; we've already covered 37 American states, four Canadian provinces and two venues in the UK (London and Dublin). And I'm sure groups in some of the remaining 13 states are joining in the fun; I simply haven't heard about them yet.

I first traced the history and growth of this delightful annual tradition back in 2012, with a modest schedule that now seems quaint. This year's post will serve as a clearinghouse for any and all 2024 concerts that come to my attention. As always, I'll add to this schedule as new information becomes available, so you'll want to check back frequently. New entries and listings will be tagged as UPDATES

Anybody with information about a show (or shows) not listed here, is encouraged to submit the information in a comment; please be as detailed as possible. Such comments will not be published, but the show(s) will be added to the roster.

Let's start with mainstay groups with busy touring schedules:

The Chris White Trio has become quite serious about honoring Guaraldi's holiday-themed Peanuts music. During the next month, White (on piano) will work with bassists Sean Jacobi, Mike Benning, Joe Policastro and Alex Austin; and drummers Ryan Jacobi, Kurt Lubbe, Dave Williams, Darren Scorza and Joe Adamik. The trio began this season back on Sunday, October 29, with the first of two performances of the music from It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, at jazz clubs in Chicago, Illinois. One of those, Winter's Jazz Club, will host the trio's one-night tribute to the music from A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on Wednesday, November 27. The group's full-schedule Charlie Brown Christmas shows (dozens!) will kick off Saturday, November 30, in Arlington, Illinois, with additional performances at numerous Illinois venues — and one night in Michigan — concluding Sunday, December 22, once again at Winter's. Details.

• Popular jazz pianist David Benoit traditionally headlines a concert tour of his Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown each December. This year's schedule — which again features vocalist Courtney Fortune — kicks off Friday, November 29, in Hollywood, California, with subsequent stops in New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Arizona, additional California venues, and concludes December 19-22, at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle, Washington. Check his website for details.

The Ornaments — Jen Gunderman, piano; Martin Lynds, bass; and James Haggaerty, drums — will be joined by special guest soloists for their 19th annual performances of music from A Charlie Brown Christmas during a busy schedule that runs from December 14-22: two shows Saturday, December 14, at the Temple Theatre in Portland, Tennessee; and 12 shows Tuesday through Sunday, December 17-22, at the Eastside Bowl, in Nashville, Tennesee. Details. And do check out their 2011 live album.

Doc Watkins and his Orchestra will begin their month-long Christmas in Jazz tributes to the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas at San Antonio's JazzTX, Texas, on Friday, November 29. Upcoming shows include November 30 and December 5-8, 10, 12-14 and 20-22. Details. They also scheduled a December 19 performance at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, also in San Antonio. Details. The icing on the cake: Watkins' terrific 2022 album, The Music of A Charlie Brown Christmas; do check it out!

The Eric Byrd Trio — Byrd, piano and vocals; Bhagwan Khalsa, acoustic bass; and Alphonso Young Jr., drums and percussion — has made a cottage industry of Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas music, having thus far released two cover albums: a 2009 studio project, and a 2021 live performance. Both are available here. Byrd's combo begins its annual run on Saturday, November 30, in Maryland, with numerous subsequent performances in that state and Virginia, concluding Saturday, December 21. Details.

The Heather Pierson Trio — Pierson, piano; Shawn Nadeau, bass; and Craig Bryan, drums — will began an ambition Charlie Brown Christmas tour on Saturday, November 30, in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. Subsequent stops will include venues in that state, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine, concluding on Sunday, December 22, in Waldoboro, Maine. Details.

The Eric Mintel Quartet — Mintel, piano; Nelson Hill, sax; Jack Hegyi, bass; and Dave Mohn, drums — also has a busy schedule of Charlie Brown Holiday Jazz shows starting Friday, November 22, in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, with additional shows throughout that state and Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Hampshire, concluding Monday, December 23, in Flemington, New Jersey. Details.

The Annie Booth Trio — Booth, piano; Patrick McDevitt, bass; and Alejandro Castaño, drums — will be joined by guest vocalists Kathryn Radakovich, Bailey Hinkley Grogan, Jenna McLean and Marion Powers, for their 11th annual Charlie Brown Christmas concerts during 21 shows (!) Monday through Tuesday, December 16-24, at Dazzle, in Denver, Colorado. Details.

The Jose "Juicy" Gonzales Trio — Gonzales, piano and vocals; Michael Marcus, bass; and Matt Jorgensen, drums — will present its 13th annual tribute to the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas during a busy schedule that runs December 8-21 at various Washington state venues. Details. Meanwhile, do check out his cool 2016 release, Linus and Juicy: A Holiday Album.

The Cartoon Christmas Trio — Jeff Knoettner, piano; Rob Swanson, double bass; and Larry Marshall, drums — performs music from A Charlie Brown Christmas, along with tunes from other animated holiday shows, such as Frosty the Snowman and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. (Their 2008 album is a kick; check it out.) They have an extremely busy schedule that kicks off Wednesday, December 4, in Winterthur, Delaware, with subsequent stops in New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, concluding Saturday, December 28, in Milton, Delaware. Details.

Turning to the rest of the regulars and newcomers...

UPDATE • Keyboardist Kurt Reeder & Friends — Beto Rodrigues, guitar; Troy Robertson, bass; and Ian Shepherd, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on Friday, November 22, at the Rose Bowl Tavern in Urbana, Illinois. Details.

The Zach Bartholomew Trio — Bartholomew, piano; Brandon Robertson, bass; and Paul Gavin, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas, on Saturday, November 23, at St.Petersburg College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Details.

Pianist Steve Myerson will present his Vince Guaraldi Holiday Special on Wednesday, November 27, at Shanghai Jazz in Madison, New Jersey. Details

The Commercialists — Anthony Deutsch, piano; Clay Schaub, bass; and Patrick Morrow, drums — will play the music of Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas on Friday, November 29, at the Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Details.

The Dan Thouin Trio — Thoulin, piano; Morgan Moore, double bass; and Louis-Vincent Hamel, drums — will be joined by the Maîtrise des Petits Chanteurs de Quebec, in a performance of the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Saturday, November 30, at Palais Montcalm in Quebec, Quebec, Canada. Details.

The Ed Croft Trio — Croft, bass; Ivan Docenko, piano; and David Wasik, drums — will present their fourth annual tribute to Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas on Sunday, December 1, at the Seneca One Auditorium, in Buffalo, New York. Details.

Dave Mattock and the Taproom Trio will present Charlie Brown Holiday Jazz on Sunday, December 1, at The Kennett Flash in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Details.

The Eric Hirsh Trio will perform the music from Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas on Sunday, December 1, at Missy Lane's Cocktail Bar and lounge in Durham, North Carolina. Details.

• The Isaiah J. Thompson Quartet will present A Guaraldi Holiday, showcasing the music from Dr. Funk's Peanuts scores — followed by the Ellington/Strayhorn arrangement of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, on Sunday, December 1, at The Kentucky Theater in Lexington, Kentucky. Details. Be sure to also check out Thompson's 2023 album, A Guaraldi Holiday.

The Phil DeGreg Trio — DeGreg, piano; Aaron Jacobs, bass; and John Taylor, drums — will perform the score from Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas, along with other seasonal favorites, on Monday and Tuesday, December 2-3, at the MEMO Memorial Hall in Cincinnati, Ohio. Details.

The Tanner Taylor Trio will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Monday, December 2; Monday and Tuesday, December 9 and 10; Tuesday, December 17; and Friday, December 20, at Noce, Des Noines, Iowa. Details.

The Phil DeGreg Trio — DeGreg, piano; Aaron Jacobs, bass; and John Taylor, drums — will present a tribute to Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas, along with other holiday favorites, on Tuesday, December 3, at the Cincinnati Memorial Hall in Cincinnati, Ohio. Details.

The Commercialists — Anthony Deutsch, piano; Clay Schaub, bass; and Patrick Morrow, drums — will play the music of Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas on Tuesday, December 3, at The Coffeehouse at Chestnut & Pine in Burlington, Wisconsin. Details.

The Ian Gray Quintet — Gray, trombone; Joe Gullace, trumpet; Mark Masefield, piano/accordion; Cody McCorry, upright bass/tuba; and Cameron Lockwood, drum — will present the music from Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 3-4 (two shows each night), at the R Bar & Restaurant in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Details.

TJ & The Tattletales — TJ Erhardt, piano; Chase McRoy, bass; and Adam Watson, drums — will play the music from Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas on three consecutive Tuesdays, December 3, 10 and 17, at Mike Kelly's Westsider in Kansas City, Missouri. Details.

The Tanner Taylor Trio — Taylor, piano; Graydon Peterson, bass; and Jay Epstein, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas Wednesday through Friday, December 4-6, at the Dunsmore Jazz Room in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Details.

The Ryan Davis Trio — Davis, piano; Ben Triesch, bass; and Jeremy Bruch, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Wednesday, December 4; Tuesday and Wednesday, December 10-11; Monday, December 16; Wednesday, December 18; and Thursday, December 26; at the Parker Jazz Club in Austin, Texas. Details.

The Teri Parker Trio — Parker, piano, Christopher Kettlewell, bass; and Kyle Sullivan, drums — will be joined by a children's choir for a live performance of the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Saturday, December 21, at the Drom Taberna in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Details.

The Commercialists — Anthony Deutsch, piano; Clay Schaub, bass; and Patrick Morrow, drums — will play the music of Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas on Thursday, December 5, at Let It Be in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Details.

The Travis Anderson Trio — Anderson, keyboards; Steve Pikal, bass; and Nathan Norman, drums — will "take on" Vince Guaraldi's score for A Charlie Brown Christmas on Thursday, December 5, at the Dakota in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Details.

Cyrus Chestnut and Friends will join the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for a performance of the classic score from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Friday, December 6, at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in Detroit, Michigan. Details.

UPDATE • The Adam Shulman Trio — Shulman, piano; Eric Markowitz, bass; and James Gallagher, drums — will present the music of A Charlie Brown Christmas on Friday, December 6, at the Raven Performing Arts Theater in Healdsburg, California. Details.

The Pickle Mafia — Charlie Lindner, piano; Marco Cirigliano, drums; and Ben Chilbert, bass — will present A Very Pickle Christmas, featuring music from A Charlie Brown Christmas, on Friday, December 6, at the Bristol Valley Theater, in Naples, New York. Details.

The Commercialists — Anthony Deutsch, piano; Clay Schaub, bass; and Patrick Morrow, drums — will play the music of Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas on Friday, December 6 (two shows), at The Bradley Symphony Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Details.

Four Jazz Room pianists will perform the music from Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas Friday and Saturday, December 6-7, at the Booth Playhouse in Charlotte, North Carolina. Details.

The Erik Olson Trio — Olson, keyboards; Parker Brown, bass; and Zach Paris, drums — will perform the music to A Charlie Brown Christmas during a live, big-screen showing of the TV special Friday through Sunday, December 6-8 (five shows), at the Babcock Theatre, in Billings, Montana. Details.

The Michelle Schumann Trio — Schumann, piano; Utah Hamrick, bass; and David Sierra, drums — will present their tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas on Saturday, December 7 (two shows), at the State Theatre, in Austin, Texas. Details.

• UPDATE: Cyrus Chestnut will join the Charlie Brown Christmas Quartet for a performance of the classic score from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Saturday, December 7, at the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts in Sturgis, Michigan. Details.

• UPDATE: The Adam Bowman Trio — Duncan Wilson, piano; Tyler Wagleron, upright bass; and Bowman, drums — will be joined by Deanne Hallman's Children's Choir to perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Saturday, December 7, at the Harmony Centre in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. Details.

The John Paul McGee Trio — McGee, piano; Senzo Mdamba, bass; and Sbu Zondi, drums — will be joined by vocalist Lydia Harrell in a performance of the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas, as a fundraiser for Haiti, on Saturday, December 7, at the Christ Episcopal Church in Needham, Massachusetts. Details.

The Adam Shulman Trio — Shulman, piano; Eric Markowitz, bass; and James Gallagher, drums — will present the music of A Charlie Brown Christmas on Saturday, December 7, at SF Jazz Center's Miner Auditorium, San Francisco, California. Details.

The Jim Martinez Quartet — Martinez, keyboards; James Martinez, guitar; Marcus Shelby, bass; and Tim Metz, drums — will present "A Jazzy Christmas," featuring the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas, on Saturday, December 7, at the First Presbyterian Church of Newark in Newark, California. Details.

Studio B Jazz — Alex Olsen, piano; Reuben Rodriguez, bass; and Bobby Gripp, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Saturday, December 7, at the Goss Opera House in Watertown, South Dakota. Details.

• Pianist Patrick Kerssen and his trio will present a series of concert/lectures devoted to the music of Vince Guaraldi, the Man Behind Peanuts, from Saturday, December 7, through Saturday, December 21, at venues in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Details.

The Kevin Fort Trio — Fort, piano; Joe Policastro, bass; and Jon Deitemyer, drums — will present A Charlie Brown Christmas Brunch on December 7, 8, 15 and 22 (two shows each day) at Fitzgerald's Nightclub in Berwyn, Illinois. Details.

The Ron LeGault Trio will present Charlie Brown Goes to the Nutcracker — Guaraldi's music from the holiday special, blended with jazz versions of music from the Nutcracker Ballet — on Saturday, December 7; Saturday December 14; and Friday, December 20, at the St. Julien Hotel & Spa in Boulder, Colorado. Details. Be sure to check out his 2023 album!

Guitar for Guaraldi, aka The Mich Shirey Trio — Shirey, guitar; Nick Fane, bass; and Joey Buttlar, drums — will present its annual tribute to the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Sunday, December 8, at the Montrose Saloon, in Chicago, Illinois. Details. Be sure to check out his terrific cover album: Guitar for Guaraldi: A Christmas Tribute.

TT Mahony & Jeffrey Bützer will present their annual tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas on Sunday, December 8 (two shows), at Waller's Coffee Shop in Decatur, Georgia. Details.

The Commercialists — Anthony Deutsch, piano; Clay Schaub, bass; and Patrick Morrow, drums — will play the music of Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas on Sunday, December 8, at The Port Washington-Sauykville Performing Arts Center in Port Washington, Wisconsin. Details.

The Aidan Scrimgeour Trio — Scrimgeour, piano; Jared Engel, bass; and PJ Holaday, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Sunday, December 8, at the Jalopy Theatre in Brooklyn, New York. Details.

• The Jim Martinez Quartet — Martinez, keyboards; James Martinez, guitar; Kerry Kashiwagi, bass; and a drummer to be announced — will present "A Jazzy Christmas," featuring the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas, on Sunday, December 8, at The Jacqueline in Sacramento, California. Details.

Pianist William Green and Friends — Leonard Julian, sax and vocals; Brad Cannata, bass; Marcus Williams, drums; Kayte Burgess and Karen Bryant, vocals — will present the music from Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas on Sunday, December 8, at The Velvet Note in Alpharetta, Georgia. Details. [Alas, this sold out as of November 12.]

The Cliff Habian Trio — Habian, piano; Jeff Slater, upright bass; and Eric Everett, drums — will present A Tribute to the Music of Vince Guaraldi on Sunday, December 8, at The Music Box Supper Club in Cleveland, Ohio. Details.

The Patrick Kerssen Trio will present a lecture/concert titled Vince Guaraldi: The Man Behind Peanuts, on Sunday, December 8, at the Kelly Center in Havertown, Pennsylvania. Details.

The Tony Hagood Quartet — Hagood, piano; Shawn Wallace, sax and flute; Bradley Mellen bass; and Jerry Powell, drums — will perform the music of Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas on Sunday, December 8, at Natalie's Grandview in Columbus, Ohio. Details.

The Nate Shaw Trio — Shaw, piano; J Granelli, bass; and Michael Sarin, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Saturday and Sunday, December 8 (two shows each day), at the Brooklyn Music Factory in Brooklyn, New York. Details

The Peter Roberts Band will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Sunday, December 8; and Sunday, December 22, at xBk, Des Noines, Iowa. Details.

• Guitar for Guaraldi, aka The Mich Shirey Trio — Shirey, guitar; Nick Fane, bass; and Joey Buttlar, drums — will present its annual tribute to the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Monday, December 9, at Dorian's, in Chicago, Illinois. Details. Be sure to check out his terrific cover album: Guitar for Guaraldi: A Christmas Tribute.

The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra will present a "momentous big band arrangement" of selections from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Tuesday, December 10, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Missouri. Details.

• The Ian Gray Quintet — Gray, trombone; Joe Gullace, trumpet; Mark Masefield, piano/accordion; Cody McCorry, upright bass/tuba; and Cameron Lockwood, drum — will present the music from Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 10-11 (two shows each night), at the R Bar & Restaurant in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Details.

The Teri Parker Trio — Parker, piano; Christopher Kettlewell, bass; and Kyle Sullivan, drums — will be joined by a children's choir for a tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas on Wednesday, December 11, at The Stockey Centre, Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada. Details.

The Quentin Coaxum Quintet — Coaxum, trumpet; Stu Mindeman, piano; Dustin Laurenzi, sax; Jake Vinsel, bass; and Eric Binder, drums — will perform the music from Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas on Wednesday, December 11 (two shows), at the Fulton Street Collective in Chicago, Illinois. Details.

• TT Mahony & Jeffrey Bützer will present their annual tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas on Wednesday, December 11 (two shows), at the Red Clay Music Foundry in Duluth, Georgia. Details.

The Alex Murphy Trio — Murphy, piano; Lex Warshawsky, double bass; and Christian Kyle Burgs, drums and cymbals — will be joined by "a few friends" for a performance of Guaraldi's music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Wednesday, December 11; and Thursday through Sunday, December 19-22, at Rudy's Jazz Room, in Nashville, Tennessee. Details.

The Bonzo Squad Jazz Quartet — Corbin Andrick, sax; Andrew Lawrence, piano; Andrew Vogt, bass; and Zack Marks, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Wednesday, December 11, at The Whistler in Chicago, Illinois. Details.

The Zach Bartholomew Trio — Bartholomew, piano; Brandon Robertson, bass; and Paul Gavin, drums — will join the Gulf Coast Symphony for Jazz at the Macc: Charlie Brown & The Nutcracker, on Thursday, December 12, at the Music & Arts Community Center in Fort Myers, Florida. Details.

The Good Grief Trio — Greg Hankins, piano; Luca Lombardi, bass; and Seth Hendershot, drums — will perform the music from Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas, along with other holiday favorites, on Thursday, December 12, at the High Cotton Music Hall in Hartwell, Georgia. Details.

• The Rick Hirsch Quartet — Hirsch, sax; Clay Wulbrecht, piano; Bob Hart, bass; and Kevin Lowe, drums — will perform swinging holiday favorites, including tunes from A Charlie Brown Christmas, on Thursday, December 12, at the Pine Grove Hall in Pine Grove Mills, Pennsylvania. Details.

The Duck Soup Trio — Adam Bravo, piano; Anthony Shadduck, bass; and Sam Webster, drums — will present A Tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas on Thursday, December 12, at the Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs, California. Details.

• Guitar for Guaraldi, aka The Mich Shirey Trio — Shirey, guitar; Nick Fane, bass; and Joey Buttlar, drums — will present its annual tribute to the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Thursday, December 12, at the Tack Room, in Chicago, Illinois. Details. Be sure to check out his terrific cover album: Guitar for Guaraldi: A Christmas Tribute.

• The Good Grief Trio — Greg Hankins, piano; Luca Lombardi, bass; and Seth Hendershot, drums — will perform the music from Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas, along with other holiday favorites, on Thursday, December 12, at The Ritz in Athens, Georgia. Details.

The Ed Croft Trio — Croft, bass; Ivan Docenko, piano; and David Wasik, drums — will present their annual tribute to Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas Thursday through Saturday, December 12-14, at the Pausa Art House, in Buffalo, New York. Details.

The Cyrus Chestnut Trio will jperform the classic score from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Friday, December 13, at the Dumbarton Arts & Education Theater in Washington, D.C. Details.

The Jim Martinez Quartet — Martinez, keyboards; James Martinez, guitar; Kerry Kashiwagi, bass; and Tim Metz, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas, on Friday, December 13, at the Fair Oaks Church in Fair Oaks, California. Details.

• Stanford Jazz will present the Glen Pearson Trio — Pearson, piano; Ruth Davies, bass; and Lorca Hart, drums — in four performances of A Jazz Celebration of the Music of A Charlie Brown Christmas, Friday through Sunday, December 13-15, at the Campbell Recital Hall, in Stanford, California. Details.

The Elliot Scozzaro Quartet — Scozzaro, woodwinds; Nick Weiser, piano; Joseph Goehle, bass; and John Bacon, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Saturday, December 14 (two shows), at the Revolution Gallery Lounge, in Buffalo, New York. Details.

The Jeremy Baum Trio — Baum, piano; Sue Williams, upright bass; and Peter O'Brien, drums — will present A Charlie "Baum" Christmas on Saturday and Sunday, December 14-15, at The Falcon, in Marlboro, New York. Details.

The Brian Barlow Trio — Anthony D'Alessandro, piano; Lauren Falls, bass; and Barlow, drums — will be joined by vocalist Kalya Ramu for a tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas on Saturday, December 14; and Saturday, December 21, at Base31's Sergeants Mess Hall in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada. Details.

The Nick Vlandis Jazz Trio will celebrate the music of Vince Guaraldi and A Charlie Brown Christmas on consecutive Saturdays, December 14 and 21, at The Aristocrat in Columbia, South Carolina. Details.

The Joey Nardone Trio — Nardone, piano; Brian Allen, bass; and Chris Brown, drums — will present its ninth annual Charlie Brown Christmas: A Tribute to Vince Guaraldi concert on Sunday, December 15, at City Winery, in Nashville, Tennessee. Details(I'd tell you to check out their live 2019 album of this music, but the dang thing seems woefully out of print!)

• UPDATE: Drummer Gerald Watkins Jr. and his trio will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Sunday, December 15, at the Snug Harbor Bistro in New Orleans, Louisiana. Details.

Pianist Jason Crosby and Friends — Dan "Lebo" Lebowitz, guitar; Steve Adams, bass; and Ezra Lipp, drums — will present a holiday tribute to Vince Guaraldi's music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Sunday, December 15 (two shows), at the Sweetwater Music Hall, in Mill Valley, California. Details.

Saxophonist Patrick Lamb and his quintet — Steve Christopherson, piano; Dan Balmer, guitar; Ed Bennett, bass; and Ron Steen, drums — will present the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Sunday, December 15, at the Hood River Middle School in Hood River, Oregon. Details.

Eight of Seattle's best jazz pianists will join for an annual tribute to the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Sunday and Tuesday, December 15 and 17 — four musicians, and two shows, each day — at the Royal Room, in Seattle, Washington. Details.

The Ed Vezinho and Jim Ward Big Band will perform holiday hits inspired by Vince Guaraldi's score for A Charlie Brown Christmas on Monday, December 16, at the Stockton Performing Arts Center, in Galloway, New Jersey. Details.

The Malcolm Granger Trio — Granger, piano; Rich Hill, bass; and Michael Dunford, percussion — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Monday, December 16, at the Cotuit Center for the Arts in Cotuit, Massachusetts. Details.

TT Mahony & Jeffrey Bützer will present their annual tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas on Monday, December 16, at MadLife Stage & Studios in Woodstock, Georgia. Details.

• Guitar for Guaraldi, aka The Mich Shirey Trio — Shirey, guitar; Nick Fane, bass; and Joey Buttlar, drums — will present its annual tribute to the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Tuesday, December 17, at Reggie's, in Chicago, Illinois. Details. Be sure to check out his terrific cover album: Guitar for Guaraldi: A Christmas Tribute.

The Zach Bartholomew Trio — Bartholomew, piano; Brandon Robertson, bass; and Paul Gavin, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas, on Tuesday, December 17, at the Tribby Arts Center in Fort Myers, Florida. Details.

• UPDATE: The Groovy Tuesdays Quintet — Colm O'Hara, trombone; Hayley Kavanaugh, flute; So-Young Yoon, piano; Derek Whyte, bass; and Brendan Donerty, drums — will be joined by vocalist Sue Rynhart for a performance of the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Tuesday, December 17, at the International Bar in Dublin, Ireland. Details.

• UPDATE: The Hot Club of Urbana — Rob, Ben and Jeff Sweedler, Will Andresen, Louie Pappas and Cory Ellis — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Tuesday, December 17, at the Rose Bowl Tavern in Urbana, Illinois. Details.

• UPDATE: The Kyle Bryant Trio — Bryant, guitar; Travis Shaw, bass; and Justin Chesarek, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Tuesday, December 17, at Eddie's Attic in Decatur, Georgia. Details.

Solo pianist Lori Mechem will present The Music of A Charlie Brown Christmas, as part of the Great American Songbook Series on Tuesday, December 17, at the Franklin Theater in Franklin, Tennessee. Details. Be sure to check out her 2011 album, Christmas Is Coming: A Tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas.

The Jason Frederick Trio — Frederick, piano, glockenspiel and bells; Greg Hagger, bass; and Dan Mullins, drums — will perform the music of Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas, after the film screens, on Wednesday, December 18, at the Colchester Arts Centre in Colchester, Essex, UK. Details.

Local jazz musicians — Randy Lee and Sam Chandler, piano; Vince Osborn, bass; and Kurt Savela, drums — will perform the music from Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas on Wednesday, December 18, at the West Theater in Duluth, Minnesota. Details.

A mixed trio — Randy Lee and Sam Chandler, piano; Vince Osborn, bass; and Kurt Savela, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Wednesday, December 18, at The West Theater in Duluth, Minnesota. Details.

• UPDATE: The Jerry Navarro Trio will be joined by the Crestwood Singers and special guest Robert Reynolds, for a performance of Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas on Wednesday, December 18 (two shows), at The Historic Artcraft Theatre in Franklin, Indiana. Details.

The Taurey Butler Trio — Butler, piano; Morgan Moore, double bass; and Wali Muhammad, drums — will present its 10th annual Charlie Brown Christmas tribute concert, Wednesday and Thursday, December 18-19 (two shows each evening), at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts' Bourgie Pavilion, in Montreal, Quebec. Details.

• UPDATE: The Pete Petersen Trio — Petersen, piano; Danny Kiely, bass; and Mike Hyman, drums — will be joined by singers and dancers for a Vince Guaraldi Holiday Tribute on Wednesday and Thursday, December 18-19, at Whiskey Thief in Louisville, Kentucky. Details.

The Sean Drabitt Trio — Drabitt, bass; Brent Jarvis, piano; and Joe Poole, drums — will perform the music from Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas Wednesday through Friday, December 18-20 (six shows!), at Hermann's Jazz Club in Victoria, British Columbia. Details.

• Guitar for Guaraldi, aka The Mich Shirey Trio — Shirey, guitar; Nick Fane, bass; and Joey Buttlar, drums — will present its annual tribute to the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Thursday, December 19, at the Sleeping Village, in Chicago, Illinois. Details. Be sure to check out his terrific cover album: Guitar for Guaraldi: A Christmas Tribute.

The Zach Bartholomew Trio — Bartholomew, piano; Brandon Robertson, bass; and Paul Gavin, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Thursday, December 19, at the Performing Arts Center in Bonita Springs, Florida. Details.

• The Duck Soup Trio — Adam Bravo, piano; Anthony Shadduck, bass; and Sam Webster, drums — will present A Tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas on Thursday, December 19, at Campus JAX in Newport Beach, California. Details.

The TJ Waltho Trio — Waltho, keyboards; Paul Holden, bass; and Brad Brouwer, drums — will present a tribute to Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas on Thursday, December 19, at the Ironwood Stage and Grill in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Details.

• UPDATE: The Pleaktunes Trio — Jacob Pleakis, piano; Anton DeFade, bass; and Brian Wolfe, drums — will be joined by the Anton DeFade Quintet — Evan David, sax; JD Chaisson, trumpet; Pleakis, piano; DeFade, bass; and Wolfe, drums — and Mariko Reid for a performance of the music from Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas on Thursday, December 19, at The Original Pittsburgh Winery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Details.

• The Kendrik McKinney Trio — McKinney, piano; Rei Wang-Bowen, bass; and David Bowen, drums — will present A Vince Guaraldi Christmas on Thursday, December 19, at The Ilish in Krebs, Oklahoma. Details.

The Isaiah J. Thompson Quartet will present A Guaraldi Holiday, showcasing the music from Dr. Funk's Peanuts scores, Thursday and Friday, December 19 and 20 (three shows), at the Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York, New York. Details. Be sure to also check out Thompson's 2023 album, A Guaraldi Holiday.

The Tommy Poole Quartet — Poole, sax; Max Holm, piano; Dean DeMerritt, bass; and David Bowen, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas Thursday through Saturday, December 19-21, at the Lowdown in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Details.

• TT Mahony & Jeffrey Bützer will present their annual tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas Thursday through Saturday, December 19-21, at The Earl in Atlanta, Georgia. Details.

• The Ed Croft Trio — Croft, bass; Ivan Docenko, piano; and David Wasik, drums — will present their fourth annual tribute to Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas on Friday, December 20, at the West Falls Center for the Arts, in West Falls, New York. Details.

The Adam Bowman Trio — Duncan Wilson, piano; Tyler Wagleron, upright bass; and Bowman, drums — will be joined by the Enchorus Children's Choir to perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Friday, December 20, at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Details.

The Duncan Wilson Trio — Wilson, piano; Tyler Wagler, upright bass; and Adam Bowman, drums — will present A Very Charlie Brown Concert with the Enchorus Children's Choir on Friday, December 20, at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Details.

• The Cyrus Chestnut Trio — Chestnut, piano; Herman Burney, bass; and Kelton Norris, drums — will be joined by vocalist Haley Driver for a performance of the classic score from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Friday, December 20, at the SFJazz Miner Auditorium in San Francisco, California. Details.

The Zach Bartholomew Trio — Bartholomew, piano; Brandon Robertson, bass; and Paul Gavin, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas, on Friday, December 20, at the Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center in Sarasota, Florida. Details.

Peter Sprague and Friends — Sprague, guitar; Beth Ross Buckley, flute; Tripp Sprague, flute and sax; Mack Leighton, bass; Danny Green, piano; Duncan Moore, percussion; and Alison Adams Tucker, vocals — will present Charlie Brown Jingles and Jazz on Saturday, December 21, at the Conrad Presbyterian Performing Arts Center in La Jolla, California. Details. Check out their Charlie Brown Christmas tribute album here.

• The Jim Martinez Quartet — Martinez, keyboards; James Martinez, guitar; Todd Johnson, bass; and Dom Moio, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas, on Saturday, December 21, at The Nash Jazz Club in Phoenix, Arizona. Details.

The Larry Vuckovich Quartet — Vuckovich, piano; Kai Lyons, guitar; Doug Miller, bass; and Akira Tana, drums — will present a Vince Guaraldi Tribute Concert (which, given the time of year, certainly will include some tunes from A Charlie Brown Christmas) on Saturday, December 21 (two shows) at the Turkish Meyhouse Restaurant in Palo Alto, California. Details. (Vuckovich, celebrating his 88th birthday that evening, was Guaraldi's one and only student, back in the day, and often "subbed in" when Vince had two bookings at the same day and time.)

• Local jazz musicians — Randy Lee and Sam Chandler, piano; Vince Osborn, bass; and Kurt Savela, drums — will perform the music from Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas on Saturday, December 21, at the West Theater in Duluth, Minnesota. Details.

The Teri Parker Trio — Parker, piano, Christopher Kettlewell, bass; and Kyle Sullivan, drums — will be joined by a children's choir for a live performance of the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Saturday, December 21, at the Drom Taberna in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Details.

The Nate Hance Trio — Hance, piano; Keith Yanes, bass; and Tarek Abdelqader, drums — will present the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Friday and Saturday, December 20-21, at the MetroNOME Brewery in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Details. And while you're at it, check out the trio's new cover album of Guaraldi's iconic themes, A Charlie Brown Christmas NHanced! 

• A mixed trio — Randy Lee and Sam Chandler, piano; Vince Osborn, bass; and Kurt Savela, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Saturday, December 21, at The West Theater in Duluth, Minnesota. Details.

The Angelo Versace Trio — Versace, piano; Scott Black, bass; and Arthur Vint, drums — will perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas, along with a selection of other Vince Guaraldi compositions, on Saturday and Sunday, December 21-22 (five shows), at The Century Room in Tucson, Arizona. Details.

• UPDATE: The Pete Petersen Trio — Petersen, piano; Danny Kiely, bass; and Mike Hyman, drums — will be joined by singers and dancers for a Vince Guaraldi Holiday Tribute on Saturday and Sunday, December 21-22, at Whiskey Thief in Louisville, Kentucky. Details.

The Oregon Symphony, accompanied by live actors and and an animated backdrop, will present Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack on Saturday and Sunday, December 21-22 (three shows), at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, Oregon. Details.

Sullivan-Parker-Kettlewell — Kyle Sullivan, drums; Teri Parker, piano; and Chris Kettlewell, double bass — will present a tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas on Sunday, December 22, at Hugh's Room, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Details.

• The Duncan Wilson Trio — Wilson, piano; Tyler Wagler, upright bass; and Adam Bowman, drums — will present A Very Charlie Brown Concert with the Kingsbury Music Singers on Sunday, December 22, at the River Run Centre in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Details.

The Kendrik McKinney Trio — McKinney, piano; Rei Wang-Bowen, bass; and David Bowen, drums — will present A Vince Guaraldi Christmas on Sunday and Monday, December 22-23, at Round Midnight in Edmond, Oklahoma. Details.

• The Teri Parker Trio — Parker, piano, Christopher Kettlewell, bass; and Kyle Sullivan, drums — will be joined by a children's choir for a live performance of the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Monday, December 23, at the Drom Taberna in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Details.

• UPDATE: The Adam Bowman Trio — Duncan Wilson, piano; Tyler Wagleron, upright bass; and Bowman, drums — will be joined by "surprise guests" to perform the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas on Monday, December 23, at the Niagara Jazz Festival's Robertson Theatre in Ontario, Canada. Details.

Trumpeter Mike Lewis and "some of Hawaii's best jazz musicians" will present their eighth annual tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24-25, at the Blue Note, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Details.

Jazz singer/trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, saxophonist Clarence Johnson, vocalist Ansley Stewart and The Joe Cool Trio — John Milham, drums; Chris Spies, piano; and Chris Severin, bass — will headline the 15th annual Charlie Brown Jazz Xmas Concert on Friday, December 27, at the Laurel Little Theater in Laurel, Mississippi. Details.

The Thompson Egbo-Egbo Quartet — Egbo-Egbo, piano; Randall Hall, bass; Jeff Halischuk, drums; TBA, sax/trumpet — will present Candlelight Holiday Jazz: A Charlie Brown Christmas on Friday, December 27 (two shows) at the Paradise Theatre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Details.

Jazz singer/trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, saxophonist Clarence Johnson, vocalist Ansley Stewart and The Joe Cool Trio — John Milham, drums; Chris Spies, piano; and Chris Severin, bass — will headline the 15th annual Charlie Brown Jazz Xmas Concert on Saturday, December 28, at the Saenger Theater in Mobile, Alabama. Details.

1 comment:

Chris White said...

Thanks for all your hard work putting this list together, Derrick. So happy to see all the love for Guaraldi. Good luck to everyone!