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Mala Waldron
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
Mala Waldron: Always There
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.
read moreMala Waldron: Always There
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 ...
read moreMala Waldron: Always There
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 ...
read moreMala 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 ...
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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 ...
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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) ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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"... 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
Been Down This Road Before
From: Been Down This Road BeforeBy Mala Waldron