The soundtrack to "A Charlie Brown Christmas" has been considered "one of the most beloved holiday albums recorded." Chris Barton of the "Los Angeles Times" asserts that the soundtrack introduced jazz to an entirely new generation, having been heard by more individuals than the work of the genre's most influential players, including Miles Davis and John Coltrane. The score influenced dozens of young aspiring musicians, among them David Benoit and George Winston. Haney wrote that the record "introduce contemporary jazz to youngsters with grace, charm, and creativity." In 2019, it was ranked the fourth greatest Christmas album of all time by "Rolling Stone".