Seattle jazz trio perks up holiday classic

The Seattle-based Jose Gonzales Trio will add pizazz to a holiday classic with its signature jazz rendition of “A Charlie Brown Christmas Jazz Concert” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Blue Heron.

The Seattle-based Jose Gonzales Trio will add pizazz to a holiday classic with its signature jazz rendition of “A Charlie Brown Christmas Jazz Concert” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Blue Heron.

The trio, fronted by pianist Jose “Juicy” Gonzales, will perform Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” album in its entirety, including favorites like “My Little Drum” and “O Tannenbaum.”

When the Coca-Cola Company first commissioned the animated television special “A Charlie Brown Christmas” in 1965, the producers chose to hire child actors to voice the characters and pianist Vince Guaraldi to compose the jazz score — two unconventional and somewhat risky choices at the time. The gamble paid off as the show became an instant hit, and the soundtrack went on to receive triple platinum status.

Favorite songs like “Christmas Time Is Here” and “Linus and Lucy” that appeal to both adults and children have become holiday jazz standards. The entire album is also given credit for introducing a younger generation to the jazz genre.

The Jose Gonzales Trio (piano/voice, bass and drums) performs its unique brand of jazz throughout the Northwest and is a regular at Seattle jazz institutions like Tula’s and Egan’s.

Tickets are $16 for members, students and seniors and $20 for general admission. Tickets are available at the Blue Heron, Heron’s Nest and at www.vashonalliedarts.org.