A great many composers from all music venues have had the ability to turn out one symphony, opera or song after another that have found favor with the public at the outset and, in many cases, even gained in popularity over the years.  Other composers may only gain fame or acclaim for one or two compositions during their life time and some have written compositions that only gained respect and demand after they were no longer with us.  So what, you may ask, bring this to mind?  I’m glad you asked. 

In the Arts and Entertainment section of Sunday’s Raleigh News and Observer (12/17) there is an excellent article by Matt Schudel of the Washington Post.  In it he discusses the making of the TV program “A Charlie Brown Christmas“  and the composer of the program’s music Vince Guaraldi.  The producer of the program, Lee Mendelson hired Vince to do the music because he wanted adult music with a jazz flavor that would fit the various moods of the program’s theme and establish a music identity for each of the characters (Charlie Brown, Lucie, Lynus, Snoopy, etc.) and not the mindless cartoon sound effects that are usually used in such productions.  Lee had heard a tune Vince had done that had gained some popularity called “Cast Your Fate to the Winds” and felt that something of a similar nature would translate well for the Charlie Brown program.

It should be noted that the CBS network execs, with customary exec brilliance, were certain it would be a failure.  In fact Matt reports that during the screening for the execs the program was greeted with silence.  One of the animators was also in attendance and was evidently somewhat in his cups.  He stood up and said, “You guys are crazy.  This is going to be around for a hundred years.”  It isn’t reported whether he was around much longer or not. 

For me the music from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and as played by the Vince Guaraldi trio captures all of the many elements of Christmas and the Christmas season in ways as few other selections do.  It is quiet obvious that Charles Schultz always knew what Christmas was all about, Charlie Brown found out what Christmas was all about and Vince Guaraldi created music with a depth of feeling and understanding that was, and is, truly unique.  So, if the music from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is all Vince is ever remembered for I think that will be a substantial statement and one any composer could be very proud of.  I suspect that Matt Schudel feels the same way about “A Charlie Brown Christmas” or he would not have written this piece.  Thanks Matt.  Incidentally, if you don’t have a CD of the music from the program it is still available so you shouldn’t have a problem getting one.

Speaking of Christmas music, if you enjoy the brilliance and power of a brass section without equal and a richness of orchestration that is second to none I recommend another CD to you that also stands the test of time; it is Stan Kenton’s - Kenton Christmas.  You won’t find it in local stores but you can look it up and order it through www.cduniverse.com.   I wish all of you a very merry Christmas.

John Fish  (919) 696-3474   Email: marvmax@mindspring.com    Website: www.JohnFish.com

One of my favorite people is no longer with us.  Maynard Ferguson passed away yesterday.  I grew up with the magnificent big band sounds of Maynard, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington to name but a few.  Another thing that has disappeared, along with most of the big bands, is the great ballrooms I used to go to, to see them.  I remember dancing and listening to Maynard at the Val-Air ballroom in DesMoines.  At that time Maynard had a full size big band rather than the smaller groups of later years.  To me, both will be greatly missed - but not forgotten.

It occurs to me than quite a few of my favorite musicians and actors are from Canada.  Maynard, The Boss Brass, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, Robert Goulet, Oscar Peterson, Glenn Gould, Captain James T. Kirk (alias William Shatner), Hume Cronyn, Glenn Ford and Lorne Greene.  Those are people who come to mind and I know that there are many, many more.  One, whose music was not my cup of tea but without who New Year’s eve wouldn’t have been the same, is Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians.  To me, Guy was as much what New Year’s eve is all about and remembered for as the crystal ball coming down above Times Square.  Of course, there were the movies I enjoyed about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the radio program about the same.  Was it Captain Preston of the RCMP?  I think his dog’s name was King.  If that is not correct credit it to time catching up with me.

Many Canadian companies have good sized operations in Raleigh and the Research Triangle.  An article in the News and Observer said that there are at least 600 Canadians living in the Raleigh area.  I recently had the good fortune to work with a Canadian couple throughout the process of both looking for a home and subsequently building one in Raleigh.  I am now working with another great Canadian couple who will be building a very fine home in North Raleigh. May I just say - “Y’all come!” and welcome! 

John Fish  (919) 696-3474   Email: marvmax@mindspring.com   Web Site: www.JohnFish.com