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.
Like Someone In Love
Mal Waldron Lyrics
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Hearing guitars like someone in love.
Sometimes the things I do astound me,
Mostly whenever you're around me.
Lately I seem to walk as though I had wings,
Bump into things like someone in love.
Each time I look at you,
I'm limp as a glove,
The lyrics to Mal Waldron's song "Like Someone In Love" are a heartfelt testament to the power of love. The singer in the song has been struck by love and is experiencing all the emotions and physical sensations that come along with it. The first stanza sets the stage for the singer's state of mind, as they find themselves gazing at the stars and listening to guitars, two things that are often associated with romance and love. The second stanza describes how the singer is constantly surprised by their own behavior when they are around the person they love. They are so overcome with emotion that they "walk as though [they] had wings" and "bump into things" without even realizing it. The final stanza is perhaps the most poignant, as the singer admits that every time they look at the person they love they feel "limp as a glove" and completely overwhelmed with the feeling of being in love.
One interesting fact about this song is that it was originally written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke as a popular love ballad in 1944. It has since become a jazz standard and has been covered by numerous artists over the years. Another interesting fact is that Mal Waldron, the composer of this particular version, was a jazz pianist and composer who is often associated with the avant-garde and free jazz movements. His interpretation of this classic love song is therefore somewhat unexpected, but no less powerful for it. Additionally, a number of famous jazz singers have covered this song, including Chet Baker, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.
The chords to Mal Waldron's version of "Like Someone In Love" are as follows:
Verse: Em7 A7 Dmaj7 Gmaj7
Bridge: Am7 D7 Gmaj7 B7 Em7 A7 Dmaj7
Interestingly, Waldron's version of the song omits the second bridge that appears in the original Van Heusen/Burke version. This omission gives the song a more streamlined and intimate feel that suits the emotion of the lyrics. Another notable aspect of Waldron's version is the way he uses dissonant chords and unexpected harmonies to create a sense of tension and ambiguity that echoes the confusion and ambivalence of falling in love. Overall, "Like Someone In Love" is a beautiful and timeless love song that has captured the hearts of listeners across generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately, I find myself out gazing at stars,
Recently, I have been spending time outdoors looking at stars.
Hearing guitars like someone in love.
I feel like I am in love when I hear guitars.
Sometimes the things I do astound me,
I am surprised by my own actions sometimes.
Mostly whenever you're around me.
This usually happens when you are near me.
Lately I seem to walk as though I had wings,
I have been feeling very light and free lately.
Bump into things like someone in love.
I am so caught up in my thoughts of love that I am not paying attention to my surroundings.
Each time I look at you,
Whenever I see you,
I'm limp as a glove,
I feel weak and powerless.
And feeling like someone in love.
And it feels as though I am experiencing love.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J. BURKE, J. VAN HEUSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind