Top Smooth Jazz Stars Creating New Charlie Brown CD

The biggest names in smooth jazz are falling for Charlie Brown.

When ABC airs a brand-new Charlie Brown TV special this December, viewers nationwide will hear a brand-new song featuring the piano of David Benoit and vocals by Vanessa Williams. The song, “Just Like Me,” was written by Benoit and Lee Mendelson, who has produced all of the animated TV shows based on the characters created by late Charles Schulz.

Before the TV special airs, though, listeners will be able to hear the song on an upcoming CD produced and arranged by Benoit called 40 Years – A Charlie Brown Christmas. The CD, to be released by Peak Records, which is co-owned by Russ Freeman of the Rippingtons, will feature a number of top smooth jazz performers including Benoit, Williams, Freeman and the Rippingtons, Eric Marienthal, Norman Brown, Rick Braun, Brian McKnight, Dave Koz, Toni Braxton and Gerald Albright.

The CD, commemorating the release 40 years ago of Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas, features updates of Guaraldi’s songs in addition to a few Christmas selections.

Benoit has been composing the music for Peanuts specials for several years, and in 2000 released Here’s to You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years! as a tribute to Schulz.

40 Years – A Charlie Brown Christmas will be released on Oct. 4.