Mal Waldron Quartet - Live At The Village Vanguard

American jazz pianist Mal Waldron played a breathtaking performance at The Village Vanguard in New York City in 1987. Featured in his quintet are former Thelonious Monk-sideman Charlie Rouse (saxophone), Reggie Workman (bass), Ed Blackwell (drums), and special guest Woody Shaw (trumpet). This performance displays the minimalistic playing style Mal Waldron is known for. Using repeated simple motifs based on thick, dissonant chords, he creates a rather dark and brooding mood. The Village Vanguard opened in 1935 and is still in business, making it the oldest operating jazz club in New York City today. It earned international renown in the 1950s as the place where jazz careers set off and where the genre’s legends recorded their landmark albums.