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Mala Waldron

Jazz/Soul Vocalist, pianist and composer, Mala Waldron is a native of New York. Mala's musical approach reflects the many varied styles of music she was exposed to as a youngster. She credits her parents, both jazz pianists, with giving her a strong and varied foundation in the jazz culture. Her maternal grandmother, also a pianist, was from the caribbean islands and introduced young Mala to Calypso. Of her earlier influences, she also credits her older brother with introducing her to the best of R&B.

At the age of 7, Mala began formal piano lessons. Later, she joined her first band, a local R&B group. This marked the beginning of her career as a full-fledged gigging musician — she was only 15. Within a year, that band was signed to RCA records. After graduating from high school, she went on to expand her knowledge of music studying jazz piano, voice and composition at SUNY College of Old Westbury with multi-reed player Makanda Ken McIntyre. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Mala performs regularly in the tri-state area, and has performed internationally including tours in Japan, Italy, France and Russia. Previous recordings to her credit are a duo with her father, pianist and composer Mal Waldron, entitled He's My Father (Tokuma Communications/Japan). The following year, her solo debut, Lullabye was released on the same label. HerAlways There, was released independently in 2006 and was named one of the “Top 20 Jazz CDs of 2006 by JazzUSA, and celebrated with a sold-out launch concert at New York's Jazz Standard.

Her newest offerincg, Deep Resonance is an intimate, up-close-and- personal look into the artist's creative soul and mainly features her original compositions, with the exception of a Joni Mitchell cover of "Jericho." The CD will be released in April 2016 with a launch party scheduled for May 11 at New York's Club Bonafide.

Awards

JazzUSA list for “Top 20 Jazz CDs of 2006 Voted one of Top 40 Soul CDs of 2006 on Soul Express Charted at #6 as Top Seller on CDBaby (Jazz-Soul category)


Tags

101
Album Review

Mala Waldron: Always There

Read "Always There" reviewed by Jim Santella


The soulful originals on Always There allow Mala Waldron to communicate emotionally, while her genius at the piano and keyboards allows her to communicate musically. The two modes overlap, of course, as she interprets lyrics and scats with authority.

Working with a bright, stellar quartet, Waldron combines straight-ahead jazz, pop, R&B and soulful ballads in one program. Both bass and guitar provide her with solid solo work, while the entire ensemble cooks with a cohesive slant throughout.

191
Album Review

Mala Waldron: Always There

Read "Always There" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone


My first reaction to this new album from the daughter of jazz pianist/composer/bandleader Mal Waldron was that it was a R&B/smooth jazz entry. But after a second listen, I was able to find a few reasons to get it over towards the jazz side of town. Mala Waldron has plenty of formal jazz training, having studied with Makanda Ken McIntyre at the State University of New York/College at Old Westbury. She also pursued vocal studies with Amina Claudine Myers, percussion ...

203
Album Review

Mala Waldron: Always There

Read "Always There" reviewed by Ernest Barteldes


When you hear Mala Waldron's soulful voice on Always There, you realize that you are experiencing something very special, for Waldron is not only an accomplished vocalist and songwriter, but also a fine pianist who hits the keys with great precision, bringing various musical influences into the jazz realm.

On the romantic “Because of You," which speaks of the happiness that Waldron has encountered with a special someone, bassist Miriam Sullivan performs a beautiful solo halfway through and also provides ...

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102

Performance / Tour

Mala Waldron Band Late Night @ Iridium This Weekend

Mala Waldron Band Late Night @ Iridium This Weekend

Source: Lorraine Tucci

Mala Waldron Band Iridium Jazz Club - Late Show TWO NIGHTS - Fri., Aug 15 & Sat., Aug 16 Iridium Jazz Club 1650 Broadway at 51st St. New York, NY 212-582-2121 Time: 12:15am Price: $10 Featuring: Miriam Sullivan (bs/voc) Steve Salerno (gtr) Michael T.A. Thompson (dms) Mala Waldron (piano/voc) Jazz/Soul Vocalist & Pianist, Mala Waldron will be doing ...

96

Performance / Tour

Westchester Arts Council Celebrates Black History Month with Mala Waldron

Westchester Arts Council Celebrates Black History Month with Mala Waldron

Source: All About Jazz

Westchester Arts Council Celebrates Black History Month

As part of a series of five LIVE @ the Arts Exchange performances by outstanding African American artists, soul/jazz vocalist and pianist, Mala Waldron will do a live performance on February 3rd at 7 p.m. Ms. Waldron carries on the legacy of her father, Mal Waldron, pianist for Billie Holiday, with a soulful concert of contemporary jazz originals, presented in conjunction with The NY Blues and Jazz Society. Performing alongside Ms. Waldron this ...

127

Performance / Tour

Barbara Sfraga & CSQ + Mala Waldron Group perform during IAJE, Friday, Jan. 12th

Barbara Sfraga & CSQ + Mala Waldron Group perform during IAJE, Friday, Jan. 12th

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest and Mala Waldron Group will be performing in NYC during the 2007 IAJE Conference Both groups are available for concerts, clinics and festivals. For more information, see EPK and websites below.

Enzo Capua presents Enzo's Jazz at The Jolly Hotel Madison Towers 22 East 38th Street (at Madison Avenue) in the Whaler Bar (complimentary antipasto) FREE ADMISSION WITH IAJE CONFERENCE CREDENTIALS

Friday, January 12th (IAJE Week) ...

152

Event

Mala Waldron Project CD Release @ The Jazz Standard, Monday, March 27th

Mala Waldron Project CD Release @ The Jazz Standard, Monday, March 27th

Source: All About Jazz

VOCALIST/PIANIST/COMPOSER MALA WALDRON APPEARS at the JAZZ STANDARD, MARCH 27 IN CELEBRATION of HER FIRST U.S. RELEASE, ALWAYS THERE New York, NY - Contemporary jazz/soul vocalist, pianist and songwriter, Mala Waldron prepares for her new CD, street date: March 16, 2006. The new album, entitled “Always There", will be her first domestic release, after having had two prior label deals in Japan on Tokuma Communications and 3361/Black, Maturity. The new tracks include the artist's explosive arrangement ...

112

Performance / Tour

Barbara Sfraga & CSQ + The Mala Waldron Project during IAJE Fri., Jan. 13th

Barbara Sfraga & CSQ + The Mala Waldron Project during IAJE Fri., Jan. 13th

Source: All About Jazz

January 6, 2006 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES If you're planning to be in NYC for the IAJE conference this year, please plan to hear these exciting artists at NYC's newest and most intimate jazz venue on Friday, January 13th: The Mala Waldron Project (6 & 8 PM) and Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest (6:45 & 8:45 PM). Admission is free with IAJE conference credentials. Complimentary antipasti served during performances. Contact: Lorraine Tucci, [email protected] Enzo Capua, U.S. correspondent ...

120

Performance / Tour

Barbara Sfraga & CSQ PLUS Mala Waldron Band, 7/13 @ Satalla, 7pm

Barbara Sfraga & CSQ PLUS Mala Waldron Band, 7/13 @ Satalla, 7pm

Source: All About Jazz

July 12, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected] Newly added music in each new performance! http://www.barbarasfraga.com Wednesday, July 13th @ SATALLA 37 W. 26th St. (6th/B'way) Reservations: 212.576.1155 7:00 pm: The Mala Waldron Band Pianist/Keyboardist/Vocalist Mala Waldron Guitarist Steve Salerno Bassist Miriam Sullivan Sounrhythium Michael T.A. Thompson http://www.soulfulsound.com 7:45 pm: Barbara Sfraga with Center Search Quest's Bass Artisan Christopher Dean Sullivan and Soundrhythium Michael T.A. Thompson with Pianist/Keyboardist/Vocalist Mala Waldron and Saxophonist/Flautist Allen Won ...

"... She's her own singer, as she seems to interpret the vocal tradition in her singular & unique style of rendition ... She's a keeper!"

George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman - Ejazznews.com (Mar 10, 2006)

"When you hear Mala Waldron's soulful voice ... you realize that you are experiencing something very special ... bringing various musical influences into a jazz realm."

Ernest Barteldes - All About Jazz (Apr 11, 2006)

"Ms. Waldron successfully bridges that fine line between serious instrumental fare and pop-like viability ... Not to be overlooked"

Glenn Asterita - Jazz Review (APR 18, 2006)

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Deep Resonance

Soulful Sound
2016

buy

Always There

Soulful Sound
2006

buy

Lullabye

Takoma
1996

buy

Been Down This Road Before

From: Been Down This Road Before
By Mala Waldron

Videos

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