Few animated franchises carry as distinct a musical heritage as Peanuts. Ever since Charles M. Schulz's strip made the transition to television, jazz arrangements have walked hand in hand with Charlie Brown and Snoopy, establishing an aesthetic that immediately signals the arrival of the winter holidays. That tradition receives a modern addition through a collaboration between Los Angeles saxophonist Kamasi Washington and soul singer Leon Bridges. Their joint track, Trying To Get There, was recorded for the Apple TV holiday special Snoopy Presents: 12 Days Of Snoopy, which premieres on Friday, November 13.
Released on Wednesday, November 11, the song pairs Washington and Bridges across a lively big-band jazz arrangement. Both musicians lean directly into their established creative strengths. Washington provides expressive, assertive saxophone runs throughout the performance, while Bridges adds smooth, vintage vocal phrasing. Together, they tap into the warm, swinging tempo that has long characterized the music of the Peanuts universe, injecting fresh energy into the cartoon's foundational sound.
The animated production itself comes from Peanuts and WildBrain, taking narrative inspiration directly from Schulz's original syndicated comic strips. The story follows Snoopy after he discovers that he has landed on Santa Claus's naughty list. Facing a strict twelve-day deadline before Christmas arrives, the beagle has to reverse his questionable conduct and rehabilitate his reputation in time to save his holiday.
Composer Jeff Morrow oversaw the music for the special, assembling a soundtrack album that balances instrumental scoring with guest vocal performances. The Washington and Bridges collaboration follows an earlier preview from John Legend, who contributed the song Get Ready. Vocalist Laufey also appears on the collection, delivering an interpretation of the standard Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
The rest of the tracklist charts Snoopy's seasonal trials through both narrative cues and holiday staples. Alongside the pieces from Washington, Bridges, Legend, and Laufey, the album features selections titled Countdown to Christmas, No Presents, Twelve Day Bootcamp, Day Two Troubles, and Twelfth Day of Christmas. The sequence also incorporates Snoopy Claus, Winning Ticket, It’s the Happiest Time of the Year, Angels We Have Heard on High, Christmas Time is Here, and an ensemble conclusion with We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
For Washington, the project follows his 2024 solo album Fearless Movement. That release marked a distinct compositional pivot from his sprawling double album Heaven and Earth. While the earlier work focused heavily on expansive spiritual themes, Fearless Movement adopted a more direct, human orientation, all while retaining the broad instrumental scope and immediate phrasing that define his horn playing.
The arrival of Trying To Get There comes amid an unusually active period for new seasonal recordings. This year's holiday calendar has already seen fresh tracks across diverse genres, from Olivia Rodrigo's Take Me Home (4 Christmas) to seasonal releases by Kate Nash, Sam Fender, and an unexpected team-up between Elton John and CMAT. Television has also drawn on contemporary talent, with Self Esteem providing the theme music for Channel 4's Mog’s Bad Thing special. Within that crowded slate, Washington and Bridges stand out by honoring the specific big-band lineage that made Schulz's animated world musically memorable from the start.
