As an academic, pianist Dave Lalama's resume includes being a founding faculty member of the prestigious Manhattan School of Music Jazz Program, as well as a current professor at Hofstra University where hundreds of students, colleagues and musicians have all been a part of his distinguished professional life. As a musician, his background includes performances with many legendary bandleaders, among them Woody Herman Woody Herman
1913 - 1987
band/orchestra , Buddy Rich Buddy Rich
1917 - 1987
drums and Mel Lewis Mel Lewis
1929 - 1990
drums . The combination of having worked with so many talented musicians throughout his career as well as experiencing the big band landscape with the best in the business, culminated in the decision to form his own 17-piece big band comprised of Hofstra alumni, faculty members and guest artists for the purpose of sharing his love for the art of making jazz music.

The Hofstra Project documents the debut recording of The Dave Lalama Big Band, featuring original compositions, and new arrangements of such jazz standards as Charles Mingus Charles Mingus
1922 - 1979
bass, acoustic ' "Duke Ellington's Sound Of Love," Joe Henderson Joe Henderson
1937 - 2001
sax, tenor 's "Inner Urge," the Sonny Rollins Sonny Rollins
b.1930
saxophone standard "Pent-Up House" and James Moody James Moody
1925 - 2010
reeds 's classic "Moody's Mood For Love." With thirteen big band arrangements to sample, this album delivers a musical statement aficionados of the big band genre may well appreciate. Among the alumni and guests lending their talents on this project are John Mosca John Mosca
, trombonist and co-leader of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra; saxophonist Dave Pietro Dave Pietro

saxophone , veteran of the Maynard Ferguson Maynard Ferguson
1928 - 2006
trumpet , Maria Schneider Maria Schneider

band/orchestra and John Fedchock John Fedchock
b.1957
trombone orchestras; Birdland Big Band mainstay, trumpeter Glenn Drewes; guitarist John Pizzarelli John Pizzarelli
b.1960
guitar ; and drummer Tony Tedesco Tony Tedesco
.

Original tunes like the sizzling opener "Full House," "No Evidence," "St. Thelonious" and "Blues For..."all make quite an impression. Originally penned for the Buddy Rich Big band, "This Song Isn't You" is the other original that stands out especially since it features renowned brother Ralph Lalama Ralph Lalama
b.1951
saxophone on tenor saxophone, as well as solo spots from Mosca, Drewes and Tedesco. The fresh arrangement of "Moody's Mood For Love" is definitely an album highlight probably destined for repeated airplay—that's just how good this one sounds.

Oscar Pettiford Oscar Pettiford
1922 - 1960
bass 's standard "Tricotism," and "The Peacock" by Jimmy Rowles Jimmy Rowles
1918 - 1996
piano are two completely different but just as terrific pieces. The first a blazer and the latter a soft beautiful ballad featuring a warm-toned baritone solo from Jeff Lange presenting one of those not-to-be missed highlights of the recording. The outstanding original charts and the exciting new arrangements of well-known jazz standards, are two key contributions to the positive impact The Hofstra Project will leave on audiences. Just as important is the seasoned cast of players and the musicianship of The Dave Lalama Big band, which deserves a grade "A."

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 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.

Record Label: Self Produced

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