Vince Guaraldi

Vince Guaraldi
Guaraldi in 1963
Born	Vincent Anthony Dellaglio[1] (1928-07-17)July 17, 1928 San Francisco, California, U.S.
Died	February 6, 1976(1976-02-06) (aged 47) Menlo Park, California, U.S.
Other names	"Dr. Funk" "The Italian Leprechaun"
Education	Lincoln High School San Francisco State College
Occupations	Musician composer arranger producer
Known for	Peanuts animated music scores ("Linus and Lucy", "Christmas Time Is Here") "Cast Your Fate to the Wind"
Spouse	Shirley Moskowitz ​ ​ (m. 1953; div. 1970)​
Musical career
Genres	West Coast jazz smooth jazz latin jazz bossa nova soundtrack
Instrument(s)	Piano guitar vocals
Years active	1953–1976
Labels	Fantasy Concord Craft Warner Bros.-Seven Arts Omnivore D & D V.A.G. Publishing Columbia Masterworks Kritzerland
Musical artist
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.