Launching Michael Berkowitz’s final season, Playing for Peanuts: The Music of Vince Guaraldi represents the world premiere of brand new orchestrations of Guaraldi’s genius, inspired by local legend Charles M. Schulz, his quirky Peanuts characters, and the comic strip itself. GRAMMY®-nominated pianist David Benoit, who composed music for the Peanuts TV specials for more than 10 years, will perform enduring favorites with his trio, including “Linus and Lucy,” “Christmas Time Is Here,” “You’re in Love Charlie Brown,” “Great Pumpkin Waltz,” “The Red Baron March,” “Cast Your Fate to The Wind,” plus other Peanuts favorites.

For four decades, the GRAMMY®-nominated pianist/composer/ arranger David Benoit has reigned supreme as one the founding fathers of contemporary jazz. He has served as conductor with a wide range of symphonies, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Dresden Philharmonic, London Symphony, and the Asia America Symphony Orchestra, to name a few. Piano performances have included Claude Bolling’s” Suite for Flute & Jazz Piano,” “Suite for Cello & Piano,” “Concerto for Guitar & Jazz Piano Trio,” with Angel Romero; guest soloist with Lalo Schifrin and his orchestra; and, as a tribute to Charles M. Schultz, the Peanuts Piano Concerto and the music of Vince Guaraldi in conjunction with his recording of Here’s to You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years. Be a part of the music of Charlie Brown at this special tribute, here in the hometown of Charles M. Schulz himself.