Mal Waldron Trio - Left Alone (1959/2014) [Official Digital Download 24-bit/96kHz]

Pianist Mal Waldron had a brooding chordal style, initially influenced by Thelonious Monk but quite individual. He was flexible enough to fit into both hard bop and avant-garde settings. Originally Waldron played jazz on the alto sax and classical music on piano but, while at Queens College, he decided to switch to jazz piano. His associations with Charles Mingus from 1954 to 1956 and with Billie Holiday as her last accompanist from 1957 to her death in 1959 gave him a much higher profile. This 1959 session yielded a concept album of sorts; subtitled Mal Waldron Plays Moods of Billie Holiday, it's dedicated to Holiday. Frequent collaborator Jackie McLean plays alto sax on Waldron's signature tune, the title track, which Waldron co-wrote with Lady Day.

Waldron expanded the horizons of jazz pianists with his hard bop, post bop, and free jazz leanings. His classical training, dedication to Monk's musical legacy and sustained individuality combined to create one of jazz's most fascinating discographies.

Tracklist:

01 - I'm Left Alone (with Jackie McLean - alto sax)
02 - Catwalk
03 - You Don't Know What Love Is
04 - Minor Pulsation
05 - Airegin
06 - The Way He Remembers Billy Holiday (Interview with vibraphonist Teddy Charles)

Recorded on February 24, 1959 in New York.
Remastered in 2014.

Musicians:
Mal Waldron - piano
Julian Euell - bass
Al Dreares - drums


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