Jazz Casual was an occasional series on jazz music on National Educational Television, the predecessor to the Public Broadcasting Service. The show was produced by Richard Moore and KQED of San Francisco, California. Episodes ran for 30 minutes. It ran from 1961 to 1968 and was hosted by jazz critic Ralph Gleason. The series had a pilot program in 1960, however the episode has been destroyed. 31 episodes were broadcast; 28 episodes survive. Most episodes included short interviews with the group leaders.
Dizzy Gillespie Quintet
Jan 17, 1961
The Dizzy Gillespie Quintet performing live, including a short interview with Dizzy Gillespie. Compositions: 1. "Norm's Norm" 2. "Blues After Dark" 3. "Lorraine" 4. "Tocatta from Gillespiana" Performers: Dizzy Gillespie (Trumpet) Leo Wright (Alto Saxophone, Flute) Lalo Schifrin (Piano) Bob Cunningham (Bass) Chuck Lampkin (Drums)
Dave Brubeck Quartet
Oct 17, 1961
When Ralph J. Gleason asked Dave Brubeck to appear on his television series Jazz Casual, in 1961, it was only natural; not only was the Dave Brubeck Quartet one of the most popular jazz combos in the world at that time and a favorite at clubs in San Francisco, but both Dave Brubeck and his featured alto sax player Paul Desmond were Bay Area natives (Brubeck was born in Concord, Desmond in Berkely). This episode features the quartet performing Paul Desmond's 1961 jazz classic "Take Five." This lineup of the quartet, with Brubeck on piano, Desmond on alto szx, "Senator" Eugene Wright on bass, and Joe Morello on drums, was considered by many, including Gleason and Brubeck, himself, to be the best of the Brubeck Quartet lineups to date.
Cannonball Adderley Quintet
Oct 24, 1961
Cannonball Adderley (Alto Saxophone) Nat Adderley (Cornet) Joe Zawinul (Piano) Sam Jones (Bass) Louis Hayes (Drums) "Scotch and Water" "Arriving Soon" "Unit Seven"
