Tales of a Charlie Brown Christmas

 Before it became a beloved holiday tradition, A Charlie Brown Christmas was, 

quite frankly, a problem.

CBS did not like it.

They didn’t like the jazz.

They didn’t like the pacing.

They didn’t like the kids’ voices.

And they really didn’t like that the soundtrack was led by a jazz trio.

In short: CBS hated it!!!

Yet when the television special first aired on December 9, 1965, something unexpected happened. Audiences loved it. The music—composed by Vince Guaraldi and brought to life by his trio—felt honest, human, and deeply emotional. Against all odds, A Charlie Brown Christmas became a cultural landmark. In May 2022, the soundtrack was certified quintuple-platinum, confirming its place as one of the most successful jazz recordings of all time.

Tales of a Charlie Brown Christmas tells that story—live, on stage, and in real time.

Originally conceived by legendary drummer Jerry Granelli, who played on the original soundtrack, this performance brings audiences behind the scenes of how the music was created, why it almost never aired, and how it quietly reshaped the sound of Christmas forever. It is part concert, part storytelling, and part shared holiday ritual.

The Music, Played the Way It Was Meant to Be.

At the heart of the performance is a live jazz trio—drums, grand piano, and bass playing the complete soundtrack as it was originally performed: loose, swinging, intimate, and improvisational. No backing tracks. No polish for polish’s sake. Just three musicians listening closely to one another, moment by moment. During the show, J. Anthony Granelli also reveals the story of how his father came to be a part of this historical musical event and television, how the recording was made and what it was like growing up with this holiday tradition as part of his family history. It is a unifying story of family, Jazz music and the origins of this beloved tradition. 

The show runs just over an hour and includes short visual excerpts from the original television special to help frame the story. But this is not a film screening. The focus is always on the music—and on the very human process of making it.

Over the years, Tales of a Charlie Brown Christmas has sold out multiple runs across Canada, including extended engagements in Halifax and a 2025 run that sold out three consecutive performances. Each year, the show continues to grow, evolving while remaining deeply rooted in its origins.

The J. Anthony Granelli Trio

This updated production is led by J. Anthony Granelli, bassist, composer, and son of Jerry Granelli. Based in New York City, Granelli holds degrees from California Institute of the Arts and New York University and is active internationally as a performer and bandleader. He also serves as artistic director of the Creative Music Workshop in Halifax, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022.

At the piano is Nate Shaw, a musician, educator, and community builder whose career spans more than three decades. Shaw has released 15 recordings as a bandleader and is the founder of the Brooklyn Music Factory. His playing brings warmth, humor, and a deep sense of connection to the trio.

On drums is Michael Sarin, a cornerstone of New York City’s jazz and improvised music scene for over 35 years. Sarin’s approach is dynamic and conversational, anchoring the trio while leaving plenty of room for surprise.

Together, the trio doesn’t recreate the soundtrack—they re-inhabit it.

Yes, the Audience Is Part of the Band

One of the defining features of Tales of a Charlie Brown Christmas is its interactive structure. This is not a “sit quietly and clap at the end” experience.

At several points throughout the performance, the audience is gently invited into the music: Sing-along moments, where the audience replaces the traditional choir, joining together on familiar themes.  Call-and-response sections, led by the trio, using simple melodic phrases drawn directly from the score. Rhythmic participation, with clapping and vocal patterns that echo the improvisational spirit of jazz.

No musical background is required. Participation is optional, encouraged, and always good-natured. The result is a shared experience that feels less like a concert and more like a gathering—much closer to how this music was first played in small clubs in San Francisco in the early 1960s.

A Tradition That Keeps Breathing

Millions of people have grown up watching A Charlie Brown Christmas every year. For many families, it marks time itself—childhood, adulthood, parenthood, grandparenthood—measured in piano intros and brushed snare drums.

Tales of a Charlie Brown Christmas honors that history while reminding us that jazz, at its core, is a living thing. It thrives on interaction, risk, humor, and human connection.

This updated performance marks the Canadian premiere of this version of the production. It is not a tribute frozen in time, but a continuation—one that invites audiences not just to remember the music, but to step inside it.

And yes… CBS still would have hated it.