Charlie Brown gig cancelled

The Ottawa Jazz Festival has been forced to cancel its now-traditional Charlie Brown Christmas concert that was scheduled for Dec. 12.

The concert’s star musician, Halifax drummer Jerry Granelli, has been hospitalized with pneumonia and has had to cancel his touring, the festival’s executive producer Catherine O’Grady posted on Facebook. All ticket holders will be refunded in two to three business days, the festival’s website says.

The 76-year-old Granelli, who performed on the soundtrack of the beloved 1965 Christmas special, has played a Charlie Brownthemed concert in Ottawa every December since 2013.

“I was looking forward to joining you all again for the celebration of life, family and the joy that Charlie Brown has somehow come to mean for us all,” Granelli wrote in a message. “Two months ago, I contracted pneumonia, and I thought I had it beat. Unfortunately, a recent visit to my doctor has shown that it is back. To make sure I get better, I have to check into the hospital this week and cannot leave Halifax.

“I hope to see you next time and as the children shout at the end of the concert: Merry Christmas!” Granelli concluded.

“We’ll do it all next year with Snoopy, Lucy, Charlie Brown, Linus et al,” O’Grady wrote.