DAVID BENOIT: A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (Grammy Award-nominated Pianist, KJAZZ Host)

David Benoit returns to Catalina Jazz Club with his Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown, a seasonal program built around the music of Vince Guaraldi and the 1965 A Charlie Brown Christmas special. The Grammy Award-nominated pianist is joined by vocalist Courtney Fortune and the young voices of a local children’s choir; the listing does not specify the full instrumental lineup. Alongside Guaraldi’s familiar themes, Benoit will play his own Charlie Brown Christmas material, written after he took on composing for newer Peanuts holiday specials, plus selections from his solo catalog.

Los Angeles-based pianist, composer, arranger and conductor Benoit helped define contemporary jazz, with Boosey calling his early albums Freedom at Midnight and Every Step of the Way smooth-jazz classics. His long connection with Charles Schulz’s world includes more than a decade composing for Peanuts television specials. His collaborators have included Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, Dave Koz, David Sanborn, Faith Hill and CeCe Winans, and he has worked with the Walt Disney organization. All About Jazz says his playing has grown stronger and his ideas more interesting; a review of Heroes praised the way he “masterfully” arranged songs including “Light My Fire” and “She’s Leaving Home.”