Adam Shulman: A San Francisco Holiday Tradition Returns to SFJAZZ
The Bay Area pianist discusses the enduring magic of Vince Guaraldi, his classical roots, and the art of keeping a holiday classic fresh.
For jazz fans in San Francisco, the holiday season doesn’t officially start with the lighting of a tree or the first sighting of fog-chilled shoppers in Union Square. It begins with the familiar, melancholic yet joyful chords of Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas. For over a decade, pianist Adam Shulman has been the keeper of this tradition, bringing his trio to SFJAZZ to celebrate the music that shaped the childhoods of millions. On Sunday, December 21st, Shulman returns to the Miner Auditorium for a special matinee performance that promises to be as nostalgic as it is musically adventurous. Ticket info below.
(Listen to the full interview with Adam Shulman below)
Shulman, a San Francisco native himself, has watched this annual tribute grow from a simple concert into a multigenerational tradition. "It's interesting to see the audience. There are so many generations of people who come, and I believe there are definitely those who were raised on that Christmas special," Shulman says. "You know, there's also the first generation of people who saw it when it first came out. And then, it's been on TV, syndicated for years and years."
While many pop culture phenomena fade as their original audience ages, the music of Peanuts has managed to defy gravity. Shulman attributes this to the composition's unique qualities. "It is unique in that, a lot of times, something will be a touchstone for a certain generation, and then it just stays with that generation. But Charlie Brown, Christmas, and the music—I mean, I see little kids dancing around their seats and stuff. So, it definitely transcends generations and is pretty timeless," he observes. "I think that was the genius of Charles Schultz—he brought this adult sophistication, but also this childlike sense of the world and wonder and joy."
From Classical Roots to Bebop Swing
While the holiday show is a big attraction, Shulman’s musical identity goes well beyond the Peanuts universe. A staple in the Bay Area scene since 2002, he is a highly sought-after sideman for icons like Paula West and Miguel Zenón, as well as a prolific composer himself. His approach to the piano is influenced by a strong background that combines formal classical training with jazz mentorship under local legend Smith Dobson.
“I believe that my classical training greatly influences how I approach playing the piano, especially concerning technique," Shulman explains. "I think, you know, some of my education was in composition and related subjects, and also learning classical theory, which helped a lot with jazz theory and understanding music from a composer's perspective. That really helps with improvisation because I feel like improvisation is basically just composing on the spot."
The Composer’s Voice
Shulman’s original work highlights his deep harmonic understanding. In his track "The Little Ones," from his debut album On Second Thought, listeners can experience the interplay of melody and structure that characterizes his style. "Usually, for me, I'm always drawn to the harmony first," he notes about his writing process. "In this case, though, I came up with the chords first and then wrote a melody."
His album West Meets East features a track with one of the most evocative titles in modern jazz: "Mingus Dreams of Billy Strayhorn." The song envisions a musical exchange between the fiery bassist Charles Mingus and Duke Ellington’s refined collaborator, Billy Strayhorn.
I was imagining Mingus, whose biggest hero was Duke Ellington, and his musical hero was Duke Ellington. And, you know, by extension, probably Billy Strayhorn," Shulman says, recalling the inspiration behind the piece. "So I was kind of imagining him writing a song in that style... this was more of a personal imagining of what he might compose, something else in that style."
Keeping the Tradition Alive
For the upcoming concert at SFJAZZ, the Adam Shulman Trio—featuring bassist John Wiitala and drummer James Gallagher—will perform the classic Guaraldi repertoire along with selections from the documentary A Boy Named Charlie Brown. However, don't expect a rote recitation of the record.
We play music from that album... But we never really know what's going to happen in terms of improvisation," Shulman says. "I just try to bring different things, some with a bit of sophistication, but I'm always trying to throw little monkey wrenches in there, just to keep things fresh and alive... in the true spirit of jazz, just trying to keep it alive and not make it a museum piece."
The band’s chemistry is essential to this flexibility. "It's been the same band since the very beginning," Shulman notes. He praises Wiitala as "a giant in my mind of Bay Area jazz" and describes Gallagher’s playing as "steeped in the tradition of bebop drums... a cross between Philly Joe Jones and Art Blakey."
Ultimately, the show is a great introduction for new listeners. "I think for a lot of people, Charlie Brown Christmas was sort of a gateway to jazz," Shulman reflects. Whether you're a lifelong jazz fan or a family looking for a holiday outing, this show provides a chance to reconnect with the joy and sophistication that define the season in San Francisco.
Event Details
Adam Shulman Trio Plays A Charlie Brown Christmas
Date: Sunday, December 21st
Time: 1:00 p.m. (Matinee)
Location: SF Jazz’s Miner Auditorium
Tickets & Info: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/25-26/adam-shulman-trio-charlie-brown-christmas/
Connect with Adam Shulman
Learn more about Adam’s music and upcoming performances on his website: https://www.adamshulmanjazz.com
