Vince Guaraldi (1928-1976) was a jazz pianist who achieved tremendous financial and commercial success in the 1960s with his popular recordings and his work for the Peanuts animated shorts. He cultivated a musical style that drew from several identifiable sources: boogie-woogie, bebop, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban jazz, and rock ‘n' roll. The result was a distinct approach to jazz which, although it may not have been as influential as that of some of his contemporaries, nevertheless constituted a unique and personal voice—what several commentators have referred to as the "Guaraldi sound." This dissertation considers the entire range of Guaraldi's recorded output in order to define and catalog many elements that contributed to Guaraldi's musical style. Using an analytical framework drawn from the work of Leonard Meyer and Benjamin Givan, this study describes both Guaraldi's improvisational style—the licks, patterns, and phrases that he plays while soloing—and common elements of his compositions—the chord progressions, grooves, and other features that are particularly idiomatic. Also discussed are Guaraldi's status within the established jazz canon and the disparity between his widespread popularity and his lukewarm critical reputation. The discussion and analyses provide useful insights for fans of Guaraldi, fans of Peanuts music, jazz musicologists, and any seeking to emulate the Guaraldi sound.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc1752365 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Huntley, Alec Villars |
| Contributors | Meder, Dave, May, Andrew, 1968-, Coppola, William J. |
| Publisher | University of North Texas |
| Source Sets | University of North Texas |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | x, 139 pages : music, Text |
| Rights | Public, Huntley, Alec Villars, Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights Reserved. |
| Relation | Recital: April 16, 2018, not yet digitized, Recital: November 26, 2018, not yet digitized, Recital: November 5, 2019, not yet digitized, Lecture recital: October 26, 2020, not yet digitized |
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