Ralph LaLama

Ralph LaLama (born January 30, 1951 in West Aliquippa , Pennsylvania) is an American tenor saxophonist and composer of modern jazz as well as a university teacher.

Ralph LaLama is the son of a drummer and a singer; he studied at the Dana School of Music of Youngstown State University in Ohio and began his music career in the band of Thad Jones , who brought him to New York City . LaLama then worked in the big bands of Woody Herman , Buddy Rich , Carla Bley and the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra , which now continues as the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and in which LaLama is a soloist. He also played with u. a Barry Harris , Harold Danko , Mel Tormé , Carmen McRae , Tom Harrell and Joe Morello , worked on recordings with Gary Smulyan , Danny D'Imperio , the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band under the direction by Jon Faddis with. In 2000 he worked on two Joe Lovano Nonett productions for the Blue Note label, 52nd Street Themes and the 2003 album On This Day ... At The Vanguard .

For the Dutch label CrissCross , LaLama has recorded a number of albums under its own name since 1990. a. Kenny Barron , George Cables , Richard Wyands , Peter Washington, and Kenny Washington contributed.

Lalama works alongside his musicianship as a professor at New York University and the SUNY Purchase , and leads workshops at the Manhattan School of Music .

Discographic notes

personal data
SURNAME	LaLama, Ralph
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American tenor saxophonist, modern jazz composer and university lecturer
DATE OF BIRTH	January 30, 1951
PLACE OF BIRTH	West Aliquippa, Pennsylvania