It's the Music
of Peanuts,
David Benoit!

or 50 years, the lovable Peanuts characters created by the late Charles Schulz have appealed to generations of comic strip lovers. Despite Schulz's passing last year, Linus, Lucy, Pigpen, Schroeder, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Snoopy, and Charlie Brown continue to convey their irrepressible wit and introspective wisdom.

Building on his popular 2000 release, Here's To You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years!, Yamaha artist and pianist/composer David Benoit recently performed a heartwarming tribute concert in Schulz's hometown of Santa Rosa, CA. "There was an incredible reaction, so warm," he says. "It was a very magical evening, a continuing celebration of Charles' life."

Benoit utilized a C7 conservatory grand piano in notable shows, performed in New York City; Memphis; San Diego; and Cerritos, CA. Benoit feels the C7 is best suited for performing with his combo, Dean Taba (bass) and Jeff Olson (drums), featuring special guests Andy Suzuki (sax) and Benoit's GRP Records label-mate Marc Antoine (guitar). "The C7 has a nice clear tone," he remarks.

In the coming months, the Peanuts tribute concerts will continue. Benoit composed music on his Yamaha C7 for a new animated Valentine's Day 2002 Peanuts special, the first after Schulz's passing.

He'll also appear onscreen as both performer and composer in an ABC-TV special produced by Lee Mendelson that chronicles the making of the Peanuts Christmas show. Benoit hopes to mount a seasonal Peanuts musical tour of the U.S. with Stig Edgren, the producer of Elvis on Broadway. "I'm ready to take it to the next level," says Benoit, "and I'm glad he's interested."

In January 2002, Benoit will release a new CD of original tunes, Fuzzy Logic, recorded on his Yamaha C7. "I use it and my Disklavier® to do a lot of layouts. It has a really cool sound." He is also writing his first piano concerto. For more details, visit the Benoit website at www.benoit.com.

David Benoit