NEW! Just released:

Now available! 40th Anniversary release! First time, ever, on home video! Ralph J. Gleason's acclaimed 1965 EMMY-nominated Duke Ellington documentaries... Love You Madly and A Concert Of Sacred Music at Grace Cathedral (Ellington's very first Sacred Music concert!) From Eagle Entertainment. Digitally Remastered! Liner notes by author Ashley Kahn. Available at Amazon.com or a video retailer near you!

Coming soon from Eagle Entertainment! Ralph J. Gleason's legendary 1970 San Francisco rock music documentary A Night At The Family Dog! Featuring vintage, live performances by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and Santana! With a "bonus", various artists, "Super Jam!" Digitally remastered! Coming soon to Amazon.com or a video retailer near you!

Available now!

Ralph J. Gleason's Jazz Casual, the first television series devoted entirely to jazz and blues music and musicians, is now available on home video!

Unique among music television programs, Ralph Gleason's Jazz Casual presents jazz performances and conversation in an intimate setting, giving the viewer an extraordinarily personal experience of jazz.

Produced for educational television, these entertaining and historic programs have not been seen in their entirety in more than thirty years.

The John Coltrane Quartet

John Coltrane was, perhaps, the most controversial musician in modern jazz history. His unique musical expression became one of the most influential forces in the development of free-form jazz.

From his earliest performances, Coltrane showed that he could not be restricted by the usual melodic and harmonic contraints of standard jazz motifs. His consistant search for spiritual expression through his music may have baffled some, but it not only became the core of his music, it served to influence new generations of musicians of all kinds.

Coltrane believed that music should speak for itself; that no one, including himself, could speak for it, verbally, more eloquently. Thus, this very rare episode of Ralph J. Gleason’s Jazz Casual contains no interview.

Coltrane performs here with his classic quartet: Coltrane on Tenor and Soprano Sax; McCoy Tyner on Piano; Jimmy Garrison on Bass; and Elviin Jones on Drums. Songs performed are: Afro Blue (M. Santamaria) 7:11; Alabama (J. Coltrane) 5:54; and Impressions (J. Coltrane) 13:51.

Originally recorded at KQED Studios in San Francisco, California on November 1, 1963 and first broadcast February 18, 1964 on the National Educational Television Network. Now, presented in its entirety for the first time since its original broadcast, The John Coltrane Quartet’s only known North American television appearance is now available on home video!

Recorded on 11-1-63

First Airdate: 2-18-64

VHS Video: $14.98 plus S&H

Carmen McRae w/The Norman Simmons Trio

Carmen McRae was one of the most powerfully intimate interpreters of jazz songs of her, or any other, generation. She was also one of Ralph Gleason's favorite singers. This rare look at McRae, in casual performance and conversation with close friend Gleason, provides a unique look into one of the most expressive jazz singers ever.

Originally recorded, live, at KQED Studios in San Francisco, California on April 22, 1968 and first broadcast around September of 1968 (exact date not known). Carmen's grace, style and utter mastery of emotional lyrical expression are conveyed here in a most rare look at a most rare talent.

Accompanied by her long-time band, The Norman Simmons Trio: Norman Simmons on Piano; Walter Perkins on Drums; and Victor Sproules on Bass. Songs include: I'm Gonna Lock My Heart (Away) 2:41; Trouble Is A Man 3:31; If You Never Fall In Love With Me 3:35; 'Round Midnight 4:30; Love For Sale 4:29; Exactly Like You :25.

Recorded on 4-15-62

First Airdate: (Unknown)

VHS Video: $14.98 plus S&H

Count Basie Reminisces

In this rare, intimate session, with only a simple rhythm section for accompaniment, Count Basie performs on his own birthday and talks about his career, his influences and the blues with producer/host Ralph J. Gleason. Jazz critic Nat Hentoff called this episode “the most relaxed I've ever seen Basie”. Featuring Freddie Green - Guitar; Norman Keenan - Bass; Sonny Payne - Drums. Songs include Handful Of Keys, Squeeze Me, If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight, I’m Gonna Love You As Long As I Live plus four “lost” Basie compositions improvised on the spot!

Recorded on 5-6-68

First Airdate: 10-1-68

VHS Video: $14.98 plus S&H

Also available:

Cannonball Adderley (1961)
Dizzy Gillespie Quintet (1961)
Sonny Rollins (1962)
Mel Torme (1964)
Jimmy Rushing (1962)

Coming soon!

Louis Armstrong (1963)
Dave Brubeck (1961)
Art Farmer & Jim Hall (1964)
Woody Herman (1963-1964)
Earl "Fatha" Hines (1963)
Thad Jones & Mel Lewis (1968)
Lambert, Hendricks & Bavan (1963)
B. B. King (1968)
Charles Lloyd (1968)
Modern Jazz Quartet (1962)
Gerry Mulligan (1962)
Turk Murphy (1962)
Art Pepper (1964)
Bola Sete & Vince Guaraldi (1963)
Muggsy Spanier (1963)
Joe Sullivan (1963)
Paul Winter (1968)
Jimmy Witherspoon & Ben Webster (1962)