"Christmas Is Coming" is an original Vince Guaraldi composition from the 1965 album A Charlie Brown Christmas. This swinging piece in C major showcases Guaraldi's ability to channel the excitement and anticipation of the holiday season into an infectious jazz performance. His piano solo over the open form is rhythmically buoyant and melodically inventive, with a joyful energy that captures the spirit of the album's title. The swing feel provides a rhythmic foundation that allows Guaraldi to demonstrate his bebop-influenced improvisational chops while remaining accessible to the broad audience that the Peanuts television special attracted. Fred Marshall on bass and Jerry Granelli on drums drive the trio with an easy, propulsive swing. The track functions within the album as a transitional piece, maintaining the festive atmosphere while providing a contrast to the more contemplative numbers like Christmas Time Is Here. Guaraldi's compositional approach throughout the album balanced original pieces with arrangements of traditional material, and Christmas Is Coming exemplifies his ability to create new holiday music that feels as timeless as the classics.
