THE ANATOMY OF VINCE GUARALDI

THE ANATOMY OF VINCE GUARALDI
US 2010
DIRECTORS: ANDREW THOMAS, TOBE GLEASON
Drawing upon rarely seen footage and recordings made by jazz writer (and Rolling Stone co-founder) Ralph J. Gleason shot in the early ’60s, producers Gleason and Thomas explore the brief but astounding life and times of the celebrated composer who pioneered a unique crossover of jazz and pop music. Vince Guaraldi—from his celebrated scores for the “Peanuts” animations, the mega-hit “Cast Your Fate to the Wind,” his reign at the cultural caldron that was the Hungry I in San Francisco's North Beach, and the ground-breaking Jazz Mass at Grace Cathedral—was a phenomenon until his death in 1975 at age 47. The film features new performances and insights from Dave Brubeck, Dick Gregory, George Winston, Jon Hendricks, John Handy, Paul Krassner, Paul Mazursky, and many more, and sheds fascinating light on the social and political times of the era. (116 mins.)