Mal Waldron - 'The Quest'

Mal Waldron’s music is a treasure trove of different styles and always delivers great performances.  He’s played with some of the biggest names in jazz, like Billie Holiday, Kenny Burrell, Charles Mingus, and John Coltrane, and he’s also led his own albums. Mal’s impact on jazz is truly one-of-a-kind.

"The Quest" was recorded in on June 27, 1961, and released the following year on Prestige Records’ subsidiary label New Jazz (the label was created in 1958 to focus on more experimental and adventurous jazz).  The album was recorded Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and produced by Esmond Edwards.

This is Mal’s most acclaimed album, and features a sextet consisting of Eric Dolphy on alto saxophone and clarinet, Booker Ervin on tenor saxophone, and Ron Carter on cello, Joe Benjamin on bass and Charlie Persip on drums.  Together, they delve into the boundaries of advanced bop and the newly emerging "New Thing".  

Mal and company, like most early New Thing albums (Coleman’s Free Jazz being a notable exception), don’t abandon traditional structure on 'The Quest'.  Instead, they infuse form with new energy that still resonates today.

All seven songs on ‘The Quest’ were composed by Mal.  Throughout the album, Mal, Booker Ervin, Waldron, and Eric Dolphy deliver memorable solos, showcasing their versatility.  They play dark chamber music on "Warp and Woof", dark chamber music on "Warm Canto", where Eic Dolphy switches to clarinet, and "Fire Waltz". the hippest waltz you’ll ever hear.

"The Quest" stands as a testament to Mal Waldron’s exceptional musical talent and versatility, demonstrating his remarkable ability to excel in both supporting and leading roles.  Its enduring popularity and critical acclaim continue to inspire jazz musicians and fans alike.

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