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The Dave Lalama Big Band: The Hofstra Project
ByThe roster for this Lalama-led big band outing is stacked with Hofstra alums, well-known figures from the city scenesuch as man-about-town trumpeter Glenn Drewes and trombonist John Moscaand Hofstra colleagues, like trumpeter Leon Petruzzi and drummer Tony Tedesco. This ad hoc admixture may raise eyebrows and engender skepticism in those that are simply reading about this date, but the proof is in the hearing; not a slouch exists within this group. They burn ("The Song Isn't You"), swoon ("Duke Ellington's Sound Of Love") and blow the blues ("Full House" and "Blues For...") with the best of 'em. Along the way, certain figures, like saxophonist Dave Pietro, continually pop up as strong go-to soloists, but Lalama also knows that spreading the wealth is important; he's just as likely to lean on the veterans as he is to let one of the younger band members spread their wings and fly.
The playlist revolves around jazz classics and originals that were born from the history of this music, but it all smacks of Lalama's writerly touches; he arranged and/or wrote everything here, from Thelonious Monk-influenced originals like "No Evidence" and "St. Thelonious" to the bouncy recasting of "Where Are You," which features a wonderful, calypso-tinged encounter between Pietro, on soprano saxophone, and the man of the hour. Other album highlights include "Moody's Mood For Love," which does just fine without words and, at one point, juxtaposes the high against the low; "Tricotism," which puts bassist Pete Coco in the spotlight; and "The Song Isn't You," which features Mosca, Drewes, Tedesco, and the leader's well-known siblingtenor saxophonist Ralph Lalama.
Dave Lalama has played with the best of them over the years but, judging from this CD, it's safe to say that his work in education may actually prove to be his greatest contribution to the jazz community.
Track Listing
Full House; Where Are You; No Evidence; Duke Ellington's Sound Of Love; Inner Urge; Pent-Up House; Moody's Mood For Love; St. Thelonious; Tricotism; The Song Isn't You; The Peacocks; Blues For...; Evansville.
Personnel
Dave Lalama
pianoDave Pietro: alto saxophone, flute, soprano saxophone; Jonathan Holford: alto saxophone; Ralphn Lalama: tenor saxophone; John Marshall: tenor saxophone; Jeff Lange: baritone saxophone; Leon Petruzzi: trumpet, flugelhorn; Mike Rubinstein: trumpet, flugelhorn; Glenn Drewes: trumpet, flugelhorn (3, 5-7, 9-11, 13); Nathan Warner: trumpet, flugelhorn (1, 2, 4, 8, 12); Mike Carubia: trumpet, flugelhorn; John Mosca: trombone; Brent Chiarello: trombone; Joey Devassy: trombone; Justin Comito: bass trombone; Dave Lalama: piano; Pete Coco: bass; Tony Tedesco: drums.
Album information
Title: The Hofstra Project | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Self Produced
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