Jazz vocalist Sara Gazarek will perform with David Benoit and VOENA at the Empress in Vallejo Dec. 10 and 11. (Photo courtesy of Chapman Management)

Jazz pianist David Benoit will be bringing a holiday favorite back to the Bay Area next month with “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” stopping in at the Empress Theatre in Vallejo, Dec. 10 and 11 – and this time, he’s bringing along some very special friends.
Top-Ten Billboard jazz vocalist Sara Gazarek will be joining Benoit for this year’s production, along with Benicia favorite (not to mention world-acclaimed) children’s choir VOENA.
“Every city has a different choir. What I’ve found is that the choirs involve the community,” Benoit told the Herald in an interview Friday. “Parents and grandparents get involved, and come to see the show.”
It also presents a challenge, he adds, since he must get the music out to each choir in advance, and make time for a rehearsal with each one.
“I have 20 kids singing in the show,” VOENA Director Annabelle Marie told the Herald Friday. “I chose my top singers – I want the best for David Benoit!”
VOENA will open for Benoit with a few numbers by themselves and will perform at least six numbers together with him and Gazarek.
“We have performed together a few times before,” Benoit said of performing with vocalist Gazarek. “She is a perfect match for this tour. She has such an exquisite voice and a nice demeanor on stage and that’s so important. She conveys that real warmth and joy.”
Benoit first became acquainted with Gazarek’s music while recording segments for his morning radio show on K-Jazz (KKJZ, Long Beach). When he first decided to add a guest vocalist to the Charlie Brown show, he knew Gazarek would be a perfect fit.
The concept for a Charlie Brown-themed show actually began to evolve over 15 years ago, shortly after Peanuts creator Charles Schulz passed away in 2000. Benoit says he was first bitten by the jazz bug after watching a Charlie Brown special on television and hearing Vince Guaraldi’s music accompaniment back in 1965.
“When I heard that jazz piano trio, that was a defining moment,” he recalls.
The show gradually developed into the Charlie Brown Christmas special that has gained popularity across the U.S.
“At one point we had a big celebrity producer, a full production with tour buses, and a crew of 50. It was insane,” Benoit told the Herald. “It lost money because it was just too big. Charlie Brown should always be in a more intimate setting.”
Benoit then came back to the smaller show and has been building on the simpler, family-oriented program over the past five years.
“One thing we’re doing that’s brand new this year is (to add) a historical element,” Benoit added.
The show will incorporate some video clips demonstrating how it developed from its roots as a Charles Schulz tribute. The program will also include some new tunes, along with a few Christmas favorites and some Guaraldi Peanuts classics including “Christmas Time is Here” and “Linus and Lucy.”
The show is suitable for adults and children of all ages, Benoit says.
“There is something for everyone,” he promised. “I hope people will walk away from the show feeling a little bit better than they did when they got there.”

If You Go
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” opens at the Empress Theatre, 330 Virginia St., Vallejo Saturday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m., with two shows following on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $25-$85, with $10 off any ticket level for children age 12 and under. Tickets are available at empresstheatre.org or by calling the Empress box office at 552-2400 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. The box office also opens one hour before each show time.

Sharing is caring!