Conversation so far:
What was Mal Waldron's early career like?
Waldron went on to work with Ike Quebec in New York in 1950 and made his recording debut with the saxophonist in 1952.
Did he release an album?
He was pianist on several Mingus recordings, including Pithecanthropus Erectus, which was a key development in the movement towards freer collective improvisation in jazz.

Question: Did he have any influences?
Self-contained rewrite: Did Waldron have any influences?