From undergraduate boogie-woogie pianist to creator of the music for Peanuts television specials, Vince Guaraldi came up in solid fashion through the jazz ranks, paying his dues along the way. He became a fixture on the San Francisco scene, gracing the clubs of North Beach with the trio that made all the music on this LP.
With guitarist Eddie Duran and bassist Dean Reilly interacting perfectly, Guaraldi limns a thoughtful, introspective set with Billy Strayhorn's title song, Guaraldi's own "Like a Mighty Rose," and Ann Ronell's bluesy "Willow Weep for Me" particularly touching. And when he has to swing at medium tempo, as on Sigmund Romberg's "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise," Vince fills the bill with equal skill.

with Eddie Duran, Dean Reilly