Understory: Live at the Village Vanguard

Understory: Live at the Village Vanguard
Live album by Ben Wendel
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
All One (2023) Understory: Live at the Village Vanguard (2024)

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

1. "Ben Wendel - Understory: Live at the Village Vanguard | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved December 7, 2025.
2. "Ben Wendel | Understory: Live at the Village Vanguard". Edition Records . Retrieved July 21, 2025.
3. Enos, Morgan (November 4, 2024). "Mondays with Morgan: Ben Wendel". UK Jazz News. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
4. Hobart, Mike (October 10, 2024). "Understory: Live at the Village Vanguard album review — twisty quartet jazz". Financial Times . Retrieved September 2, 2025.