Dec 13-21 | Holidays at SFJAZZ
Dec 20, 2025
Miner Auditorium
“The best pianist of his generation” (Time Magazine), Cyrus Chestnut has established a career as a peerless soloist and torchbearer of the classic piano trio setting. He brings back a favorite of the holiday season, performing Bay Area jazz luminary Vince Guaraldi’s music from the beloved 1965 Charles Schulz animated classic A Charlie Brown Christmas.
A standout since his student days at Berklee, Chestnut spent formative years accompanying vocalese legend Jon Hendricks, anchoring the quintessential young lion quintet of Terence Blanchard and Donald Harrison, and touring with Wynton Marsalis. But he credits his early 1990s stint in vocal explorer Betty Carter’s band with radically expanding creative vision, appearing on her landmark 1992 late career Verve release It’s Not About the Melody. Since then, the pianist has racked up dozens of recording credits with jazz’s greatest names and 35 albums as a leader.
Chestnut’s performances of Guaraldi’s timeless score to the holiday classic appeared on his all-star 2000 Atlantic Records album Charlie Brown Christmas with the Boys Choir of Harlem and guests including the late Michael Brecker. For this date, Chestnut is joined by a terrific ensemble to help make your spirits bright.
“The best pianist of his generation” (Time Magazine), Cyrus Chestnut performs Bay Area jazz luminary Vince Guaraldi’s music from the beloved 1965 Charles Schulz animated classic A Charlie Brown Christmas with his terrific ensemble.
What makes Chestnut the best jazz pianist of his generation is a willingness to abandon notes and play space.
Time magazine
What makes Chestnut the best jazz pianist of his generation is a willingness to abandon notes and play space.
Time magazine
Personnel
Cyrus Chestnut piano
Others TBA
With its blend of contemporary jazz and lyrical mannerisms, 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' is a joyous and festive meditation for the holiday season.
All Music Guide
Personnel
Cyrus Chestnut piano
Others TBA
With its blend of contemporary jazz and lyrical mannerisms, 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' is a joyous and festive meditation for the holiday season.
All Music Guide
Watch & Listen
Cyrus Chestnut
Skating
Cyrus Chestnut
Greensleeves
Cyrus Chestnut
Skating
Cyrus Chestnut
Greensleeves