Cyrus Chestnut Brings A Charlie Brown Christmas to Life

Written By Steven Roby

Pianist Cyrus Chestnut brings Vince Guaraldi's iconic music from A Charlie Brown Christmas back to Miner Auditorium. Rooted in gospel, hard bop, and a deep sense of swing, Chestnut honors the lyricism of Guaraldi's score while adding his own harmonic twists and rhythmic nuances.

From the swinging opener to the most contemplative carols, his trio treats the material with both reverence and playfulness, letting familiar themes bloom into full improvisations before returning to their singable cores. It is a rare opportunity to hear this soundtrack, the sound of so many listeners' childhoods, performed live by one of today's most respected pianists.

Ticket Info

Performance dates, showtimes, and tickets: December 20, 2025, 7:30 p.m., Miner Auditorium, SFJAZZ Center – tickets at SFJAZZ.org: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/25-26/cyrus-chestnut-charlie-brown-christmas/

Steven Roby

Steve Roby is a seasoned radio personality and best-selling author. Roby’s concert photos, articles, and reviews have appeared in various publications, including All About Jazz, Billboard, Rolling Stone, and Guitar World. He also hosts the podcast Backstage Bay Area.

https://www.backstagebayarea.com
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