Born: May 30 Primary Instrument: Vocal
Jazz/Soul Vocalist, pianist and songwriter, 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 musicians, with giving her a strong and varied jazz foundation. 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 in 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 done tours in Japan, France and Belgium. 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. Her most recent CD, Always There, is an independent release (Soulful Sound Music) which was celebrated with a sold out launch concert at New York's Jazz Standard.
The new tracks include the artist’s explosive arrangement of “Light My Fire”, as well as two deeply moving ballads (one, an impassioned tribute to her father), and a wealth of original songs that merge musical genres in delightful ways. Other artists featured on the CD are: Miriam Sullivan on acoustic bass, Steve Salerno on guitar and Michael ‘T.A.’ Thompson on drums/percussion.
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)“... 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)
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