Born in New York City, his jazz work was chiefly in the hard bop, post-bop and free jazz genres. He is known for his distinctive chord voicings and adaptable style, which was originally inspired by the playing of Thelonious Monk.
After obtaining a B.A. in music from Queen's College, New York, he worked in New York City in the early 1950s with Ike Quebec, "Big" Nick Nicholas, and rhythm and blues groups. He worked frequently with Charles Mingus from 1954 to 1956 and was Billie Holiday's regular accompanist from 1957 until her death in 1959. He also supervised recording sessions for Prestige Records, for which he provided arrangements and compositions (including the jazz standard "Soul Eyes"). After Holiday's death he chiefly led his own groups.
Waldron had a unique playing style. He played chords in a lower bass part of the keyboard, and is comparable to Bud Powell in his dissonant voices. His solo style is in noted contrast to players like Red Garland.
He was frequently recorded, both as a leader and sideman, with, among others, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Clifford Jordan, Booker Little, Steve Lacy, Jackie McLean and Archie Shepp.
Besides performing he composed for films (The Cool World, Three Bedrooms In Manhattan and Sweet Love Bitter), theatre, and ballet. In 1963 he had a major nervous breakdown, and had to re-learn his skills, apparently by listening to his own records. Waldron's playing style re-emerged more brooding, starker and percussive, combining bebop and avant-garde melodies, and at times weaving repetitive melodic motifs using just a few notes over a drone like accompaniment figure. After working on a film score in Europe he moved there permanently in 1965 initially living in Munich, Germany and in his last years he was based in Brussels, Belgium. On the principle that working at local venues reduced his fee, he avoided playing in the city in which he lived. He regularly returned to the United States for bookings.
Through the 1980s and 1990s he worked in various settings with Steve Lacy, notably in soprano-piano duets playing their own compositions as well as Monk's.
After some years of indifferent health, though continuing to perform, Waldron died in December 2002 in Brussels, Belgium.
Just Friends
Mal Waldron Lyrics
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Just friends, but not like before
To think of what we've been and not to kiss again
Seems like pretending it isn't the ending
Two friends drifting apart
Two friends, but one broken heart
We loved, we laughed, we cried, and suddenly love died
The lyrics of "Just Friends" by Mal Waldron express the aftermath of a romantic relationship that has ended and how the two individuals involved are now trying to navigate through the reality of being "just friends." The chorus "Just friends, lovers no more, just friends, but not like before" sets the tone for the song and highlights the paradox of trying to maintain a friendship after a romantic relationship has ended. The line "To think of what we've been and not to kiss again seems like pretending it isn't the ending" emphasizes the difficulty of trying to move on and accept that the relationship is over.
The verses dive deeper into the individual experiences of each person involved. The line "Two friends drifting apart, two friends, but one broken heart" implies that one individual is struggling with the transition from romantic partner to friend more than the other. The final verse of the song "We loved, we laughed, we cried, and suddenly love died" is a powerful summary of the relationship that was, the emotions shared, and the sudden end that has brought them to where they are now.
Overall, the lyrics of "Just Friends" are a poignant exploration of the aftermath of a romantic relationship and the struggles of trying to re-define that relationship into a friendship.
Line by Line Meaning
Just friends, lovers no more
We have transitioned from being lovers to being just friends
Just friends, but not like before
Our friendship is not the same as it was when we were in love
To think of what we've been and not to kiss again
It feels wrong to reminisce about our romantic past but not act on those feelings
Seems like pretending it isn't the ending
Denying the fact that our love has ended feels like an act of delusion
Two friends drifting apart
Our friendship is slowly falling apart
Two friends, but one broken heart
One of us is still hurting from the end of our relationship
We loved, we laughed, we cried, and suddenly love died
Our relationship included joyful moments as well as times of sadness, but it ultimately ended abruptly
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: JOHN KLENNER, SAM M. LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind