It became obvious, as the second decade of the 21st century neared its conclusion, that an increasing number of jazz musicians were covering Guaraldi's original compositions ... and, in some cases, recording original tribute tunes honoring Dr. Funk.
I'm not referring to the "big five" -- "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" and the Charlie Brown Christmas quartet ("Linus and Lucy," "My Little Drum," "Christmas Is Coming" and "Christmas Time Is Here") -- which had become ubiquitous by the end of the 20th century, and even more so each year now.
(That said, my friend and colleague Paul established a dynamic Wikipedia database that does include the five popular tunes I left out above. Obviously, he has far too much free time on his hands!)
No, I was more intrigued by the fact that many of Guaraldi's other Peanuts compositions, along with many of his equally memorable jazz tunes, were being embraced by modern musicians.
This page, then, is devoted to an ever-expanding list of such covers. Given that new recordings pop up every year, this list will continue to grow. (The most recent update was early August 2026.) Listenable versions of most entries can be found somewhere on the Web, but others are quite obscure.
A passing observation: It has become quite clear, during the past few years, that the "big five" is about to become the "big six," given how frequently "Great Pumpkin Waltz" is being covered.
I've not extracted all the covers by David Benoit and George Winston individually, because both are well known for having released multiple all-Guaraldi albums, which are:
David Benoit
Here's to You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years (2000)
40 Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas (2005)
Jazz for Peanuts (2008)
It's a David Benoit Christmas (2020)
George Winston
Linus & Lucy: The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Vol. 1 (1996)
Love Will Come: The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Vol. 2 (2010)
Moving on to other full -- or partial -- tribute albums...
French horn player Aaron Brask's 2010 album, The Guaraldi Sessions, has 20 covers. (I've not included his efforts in the following list; just buy the album!) Jazz pianist Terry Disley and his quartet cover five tunes on their 2011 album, Brubeck vs. Guaraldi. Former Guaraldi drummer Jerry Granelli has three covers on his 2020 album, Plays Vince Guaraldi and Mose Allison.
Despite its somewhat misleading title, the Ku Il Oh Quartet's 2011 album, Holiday Songs Volume One, actually is entirely devoted to Guaraldi covers and fresh arrangements of material from A Charlie Brown Christmas. And speaking of misleading, the quartet known as Jake -- Tony Mason, piano; Steve Rashid, horn; Gregg Emery, bass; and Hugh Barlow, drums -- released a 1984 LP titled A Tribute to Evans & Guaraldi, but only two of its 10 tracks are Guaraldi tunes, both from the Christmas special. On the other hand, pianist Bruce Polson's 1997 album, The Music of Vince Guaraldi, features an even dozen of Vince's songs. (I have included those in the list below, because you'll never find the album; it's long out of print.)
One final caveat: I make no comments regarding quality here. Some of these tracks are sensational; some are ... well, not such a much. Most fall somewhere in between. Accept this as the thrill of discovery.
Let's start with original compositions that pay tribute to Vince:
"Frisco (Dedicated to Vince Guaraldi)," Jim Emmons, 88
"Guaraldi," Bill Heller & Jeff Kashiwa, Find the Way
"Have Yourself a Vince Guaraldi Christmas," John Stowell/Michael Zilber Quartet, Basement Blues
"In Tiburon," Van Morrison, Keep Me Singing
"Mountain View," John Zorn, Alhambra Love Songs
"Peanuts (An Ode to Vince Guaraldi)," Robert S. Bradley & Collin Oliver, Identity Crisis
"Thank You Mr. Guaraldi," Electric Dreams (aka Josiah Osborne)
"Vince Guaraldi," Diane Monroe and Tony Miceli, Alone Together
"Waltz for Vince," Jim Martinez, Good Grief! It's Still Jim Martinez
And now the Guaraldi covers:
"Air Music" (aka "Surfin' Snoopy")
Ron LeGault Quintet, Charlie Brown Goes to the Nutcracker
Jim Martinez, Good Grief! It's Still Jim Martinez
Joey Nardone Trio, A Charlie Brown Christmas: A Tribute
Bruce Polson, The Music of Vince Guaraldi
The Mich Shirey Trio, Guitar for Guaraldi
"Blue Charlie Brown"
Claude Gnocchi,TrumpetAmericana
The Liberty Junior School 8th Grade Jazz Band, Lakota Schools 2019 Winter Jazz Festival
"Charlie Brown's All-Stars"
Bruce Polson, The Music of Vince Guaraldi
"Charlie Brown Theme"
Jon Anderson, The Mother's Day Concert
Fred Cantu and his Big Band, M.F.G.
Cartoon Christmas Trio, Cartoon Christmas Trio
Nate Hance Trio, A Charlie Brown Christmas NHanced
Sandra Lambert & Mike Eaves Quartet, Too Late Now
Ron LeGault Quintet, Charlie Brown Goes to the Nutcracker
Ellis Marsalis Trio, Joe Cool's Blues
Lori Mechem Quartet, Christmas Is Coming
Oliver Mewes Trio, Trio
Amani A. W. Murray, Happy Anniversary, Charlie Brown
Joey Nardone Trio, A Charlie Brown Christmas: A Tribute
Ku Il Oh Trio, Holiday Songs Volume One
Bruce Polson, The Music of Vince Guaraldi
Isaiah J. Thompson Septet, A Guaraldi Holiday
Wayman Tisdale, 40 Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas
Freda [sic] (with the Naturally Curly Hair)"
Will Comer, Off We Go
Andy Fielding, Playing for Keeps
"Freeway"
Jazz Arts Trio, Tribute
"Ginza Samba"
William Beatty, The Path of Green Stones
Dan Dance Trio, Live at the PY
Erik Deutsch, Live at Lunatico
Alex Diaz, Beyond 145th Street
Eddie Duran, Ginza
Dick Fregulia Trio, Be There Now!
Claudio Giambruno, Overseas
Montage, Montage
Giuliano Perin's Good Vibes Quartet, Sweet Lines
Jeff Rupert & Veronica Swift, Let's Sail Away
Craig Scott Quintet, Introducing
"Great Pumpkin Waltz"
Joshua Bowlus, Sleigh Ride
Chick Corea, Happy Anniversary, Charlie Brown
Jonathan Danis, A Jonathan Danis Christmas
Terry Disley, Brubeck Vs. Guaraldi
Neil Elliott Dorval, Romantic Lounge Live
Kenny Drew Jr. Trio, Secrets
The Hit Crew, Kids Halloween Movie Themes
C. Holmes Trio, Christmas & You
Shai Jaschek, First Fall
Larry Johnson, Circles
Brad Myers & Michael Sharfe, Sanguinaria
Joey Nardone Trio, A Charlie Brown Christma: A Tribute
Ku Il Oh Trio, Holiday Songs Volume One
Luke Carlos O'Reilly, The Perfect Christmas
Greg Reitan, Daybreak
Mich Shirey Trio, Guitar for Guaraldi
Isaiah J. Thompson Septet, A Guaraldi Holiday
Trisha Wolf, Pop and Classical Ballet Class: Songs of Autumn
