Ralph Lalama grew up in West Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, graduated from The Dana School of Music of Youngstown State University (Ohio) and was recognized there for his remarkable talent by the legendary Thad Jones, who encouraged him to come to New York. Since that time, Lalama has reached a dignified status as a widely respected master of the tenor through his achievements in the big bands of Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Carla Bley and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra - now the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra - with whom he is a featured soloist on Monday nights at New York's Village Vanguard. His experience includes appearances with Barry Harris, James Moody, Harold Danko, Mel Torme, Carmen McRae, Tom Harrell and Joe Morello. He has recorded with Joe Morello, the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, under the direction of Jon Faddis - now the John Faddis Jazz Orchestra. He appears on three Joe Lovano Nonet releases on Blue Note: the Grammy-winning, "52nd Street Themes," (2001), "On This Day...At the Vanguard," (2005), and "Streams of Expression" (2006). In 2005 he celebrated another Grammy-winning release with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra's, "The Way - The Music of Slide Hampton." He is the producer of and performs on a CD of vocalist Nicole Pasternak, "In A Word," (2005, Garagista Music). He is featured on the 2008 Vanguard Jazz Orchestra's "Live at the Village Vanguard" (Planet Arts). His new release as a leader, Ralph Lalama Quartet "Energy Fields" on Mighty Quinn Music came out in October 2008 to a chorus of rave reviews. Jazz icon Dan Morgenstern dubbed it "...one of my best-of-the-year picks, on "Jazz from the Archives," WBGO.

The distinctive tenorist has led five projects for the Dutch label, Criss-Cross Jazz. "Music for Grown-Ups," (1999) featured notables Richard Wyands at the piano, Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums. "Lalama is out front booting things along with that cavernous sound of his and a swing and swagger that is infectious." (allaboutjazz). "Circle Line" (1997) garnered 4½ stars from DownBeat and secured him a spot in the magazine's "Top CDs of the Decade" (Dec. 99). "You Know What I Mean" (1995) received wide acclaim and "Momentum" (1992) with Kenny Barron placed him at No. 2 on NY's WBGO playlist, just behind tenor giant Joe Henderson.

Lalama's playing reveals an enormous depth of musical heart and knowledge. Combined with his muscular sound, executed in a freewheeling, no-holds-barred approach to music, one understands why he so thoroughly connects with musicians and listeners alike. When not busy touring, he dedicates his time to teaching as an adjunct professor at New York University and SUNY Purchase. He has instructed an international collective of students through Manhattan School of Music's Marca Jazz Camp in Venice, Italy and also taught clinics in Assisi, Italy. He also offers private instruction. One of his students, Jonathan Lee, received the 2003 and 2004 National DownBeat Award for Best High School Jazz Soloist. He is a founding member of New York's Westchester (County) Jazz Orchestra (WJO) through which, in addition to their accomplished concert series, he is active in their educational outreach program to jazz students in Westchester County's public schools. As a guest clinician, he has taught at Eastman School of Music, University of Memphis, University of Louisville, University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Temple University. In June 2009, he was featured in a cover story of the publication, Saxophone Journal.

Photography: Jonathan Sloane