Mal Waldron Dies

Composition "Soul Eyes" a Jazz Classic

BRUSSELS, Belgium, Dec. 3, 2002 — Mal Waldron, who aspired to become a classical pianist, but who played along side many of the greats of jazz, died Monday of complications caused by cancer. He was 77.

After graduating from Queens College with a B. A. in composition, he worked as a jazz pianist with various bands around New York. He made his first recordings in 1950 with Ike Quebec. He joined Charles Mingus' Jazz Workshop in 1954 and formed his own quintet in 1956. In the late fifties, he recorded prolifically as a leader, sideman and musical director for Prestige.

Waldron was Billie Holiday's last accompanist, until her death in 1959. He also worked with Abbey Lincoln, Max Roach, Eric Dolphy, and Booker Little, among many others.

His composition "Soul Eyes" became a jazz classic after being introduced in a 1962 recording by the John Coltrane Quartet.

Waldron played his last concert in Lille, France, just two weeks ago.