Jazz Casual Dave Brubeck (2000)

On October 17 1961 the popular and pioneering pianistcomposer Dave Brubeck performed on Ralph Gleasons Jazz Casual the television show that showcased some of the finest jazz artists in a halfhour of nofrills performance and conversation Backed by the Lester Younginfluenced alto saxophonist Paul Desmond bassist Eugene Wright and drummer Joe Morello Brubeck and his combo perform some of their oddmetered hits Desmonds dancing ditty Take Five is rendered in a faster tempo than the studio version Brubecks ragtimeflavoured Its a Raggy Waltz highlights his percussive piano lines while Castillian Blues and the Turkish strains of Blue Rondo a la Turk reveal his multicultural compositional genius Gleason the shows creator and host was a wellrespected San Franciscobased jazz critic and author He remarks during the show that Dave Brubeck was a provocative experimental and interesting musician That statement is still true today