Understory: Live at the Village Vanguard
| Understory: Live at the Village Vanguard | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live album by | ||||
| Released | October 4, 2024 | |||
| Recorded | November 4–6, 2022 | |||
| Venue | Village Vanguard, New York City | |||
| Genre | Neo-bop | |||
| Length | 72:06 | |||
| Label | Edition Records | |||
| Producer | Ben Wendel | |||
| Ben Wendel chronology | ||||
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Understory: Live at the Village Vanguard is a live album by saxophonist Ben Wendel, featuring pianist Gerald Clayton, bassist and vocalist Linda May Han Oh, and drummer Obed Calvaire, released on October 4, 2024.[1] It was recorded at the Village Vanguard in New York City, a historically significant venue in jazz. The album documents a live performance showcasing the quartet's collaborative approach and musical interaction.[2] Wendel described the recording as "something that really acknowledges the history of the room".[3] This album is Ben Wendel's first live album, following his studio release All One.
Track listing
All tracks are written by Ben Wendel except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Lu" | 10:25 | |
| 2. | "Proof" | 11:01 | |
| 3. | "On the Trail" | Ferde Grofé | 9:56 |
| 4. | "Scosh" | 10:26 | |
| 5. | "Jean & Renata" | 7:54 | |
| 6. | "I Saw You Say" | 8:00 | |
| 7. | "Tao" | 8:18 | |
| 8. | "Song Song" (only available on vinyl) | 7:26 | |
| Total length: | 72:06 | ||
Reception
Mike Hobart of the Financial Times praised it at release, stating that the ensemble's "playing is inspired".[4]
Personnel
Musicians
- Ben Wendel – saxophone, effects
- Gerald Clayton – piano
- Linda May Han Oh – bass, vocals
- Obed Calvaire – drums
Technical personnel
- Ben Wendel – producer
- Dave Stapleton & Tom Korkidis – executive producers
- Chris Allen – recording, mixing
- Andre Kochinka – assistant engineer
- Nate Wood at Kerseboom Mastering – mastering
- Oli Bentley, Split – album artwork
- Josh Goleman – photographer
References
- ^ "Ben Wendel - Understory: Live at the Village Vanguard | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
- ^ "Ben Wendel | Understory: Live at the Village Vanguard". Edition Records. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
- ^ Enos, Morgan (November 4, 2024). "Mondays with Morgan: Ben Wendel". UK Jazz News. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
- ^ Hobart, Mike (October 10, 2024). "Understory: Live at the Village Vanguard album review — twisty quartet jazz". Financial Times. Retrieved September 2, 2025.