Mal Waldron (1925–2002), pianist-composer, was Billie Holiday’s last accompanist and Prestige Records’ house pianist. After a 1963 breakdown he rebuilt a dark, hypnotic style built on ostinatos and modal vamps. Key albums include Left Alone (with Jackie McLean), The Quest (with Eric Dolphy), and Free at Last—ECM’s first release—plus long-running duos with Steve Lacy.