Product Details

• Actors: John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones
• Format: Black & White, Original recording remastered, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Rhino / Wea
• VHS Release Date: March 23, 1999
• Run Time: 28 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305320527
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #342,972 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It might not seem like much: 30 minutes, three tunes, four musicians on a bare-bones soundstage. But this is John Coltrane, and any opportunity to see the legendary saxophonist at work is something to be savored. That's especially true with this January 1964 television performance. Some five years after his membership in Miles Davis's immortal Kind of Blue group, he was well past playing the usual standards and ballads; at the same time, he had yet to explore the outer reaches of the avant-garde. Joined here by pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Elvin Jones--the classic Coltrane quartet, and undoubtedly one of the most important and influential groups in jazz history--he works his way through three numbers that were familiar components of the Coltrane repertoire: Mongo Santamaria's "Afro Blue," which finds Trane on soprano sax and features a typically dynamic Tyner solo; "Alabama," a Coltrane original with a brooding, droning intro and conclusion sandwiched around the middle section's slow, swinging groove; and "Impressions," the modal touchstone, which at nearly 14 minutes long gives all four musicians plenty of room to stretch out.

Playing the tenor horn here, Coltrane is typically restless and searching, volcanic and commanding. It's not necessarily pretty, especially when he is backed only by Jones's angry, explosive polyrhythms, but the power is undeniable. The fact that Coltrane says nothing (all other Jazz Casual guests were interviewed by host Ralph J. Gleason) is immaterial; what could he say with his voice that he hadn't already said with his horn? --Sam Graham

From the Back Cover

It was his comfort with, and trust in, Ralph Gleason that got John Coltrane to perform on this show. For those of us who saw him live in his prime, this is a pleasant reminder of just how magnificent and singular an American artist John Coltrane was. For many, the "golden age" of jazz came to an end when Trane died at so young an age. (Air date: January 4, 1964)

John Coltrane, saxophones; McCoy Tyner, piano; Jimmy Garrison, bass; Elvin Jones, drums.

Performances: Intro theme: National Educational TV Blues (:25); Afro Blue (7:11); Alabama (5:59); Impressions (13:51).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for Coltrane fans, May 28, 2000

By 

Peter Kasin (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jazz Casual - John Coltrane [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a rare glimpse of Coltrane's quartet performing on television, and it is a very special glimpse, not only because it is rare, but because the musicians look relaxed and in their element, performing brilliantly. This was originally shown on the half-hour public television series, "Jazz Casual," hosted by the music critic Ralph Gleason. The only interference was the time limit of the show, otherwise Gleason's respect for the music and the musicians dictated that he give them complete artistic control. Even the stage was left uncluttered, without any distracting fancy backdrop. Coltrane's genius, and the genius of the whole quartet shines through. Thanks to his son Toby Gleason, these vault treasures are now available for all to see. It's hard to imagine any television show today having such an unhurried and unadorned look and feel to it. This show, and all the Jazz Casual shows released on video are very much worth having.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Coltrane! Enough said!, February 16, 2005

By 

Dawoud Kringle "Renegade Sufi" (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ralph Gleason's Jazz Casual - John Coltrane (DVD)

As I understand it, Coltrane could have taken some time to be interviewd. While I'd have loved to hear what he had to say, I am giving this five stars.

With all three selections, he is clearly conscious of the time constraints; yet the artistry is not in any way compromised. Impressions was great, especially with the duet between Trane and Elvin Jones. I've always loved Afro Blue; and he plays it beautifully. And Alabama makes you feel the pain that inspired the song; the reaction to the bombing of a black church in Alabama. One is especially touched by the look on Jone's face at the end of the song while Coltrane is making his statement.

What words exist that could describe the experience of listening to Coltrane, or watching him as he created his masterworks? His music is one of humanity's greatest treasures.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Video!!!!!!!!!!!!, April 3, 2004

By 

Christopher Covais (ny) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ralph Gleason's Jazz Casual - John Coltrane (DVD)

When I first watched this, i was far from dissapointed. The opening track Afro Blue is a great swining song on the recording, to see it preformed by this wonderful group was absolutely fabulous. The group gets into some heavy improvisations, and you can see the host Ralph J Gleason's face bright up with astonishment from the solos. As on the other Jazz Casual videos the artist talks with Gleason, here Mr Gleason just gives a "jazz in a nutshell" introduction, before the group swings on Coltrane's own composition, Alabama. I think you can see Trane's wife in the backround sitting on a chair watching off stage. Alabama's dark gloomy intro is great. Last is Impressions, Trane's famous tune. Bassist Jimmy Garrison takes a monster solo, before Trane and Elvin Jones solo off eachother without garrison or pianist McCoy Tyner. This was a fabulous video. I just finished watching it for about the hundred time. It still shocks and amazes me every time. If your into Trane's other Avant Garde preformances, you absolutely can't go wron with this digital video disk!