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 EDN 1254 LP/CD | |||
| 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.
Reception
Mike Hobart of the Financial Times praised it at release, stating that the ensemble's "playing is inspired".[4]
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 | ||
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.