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Ralph Lalama Quartet: Energy Fields
by Woodrow Wilkins
Sometimes, small works better. That's evidenced by the plethora of jazz trio recordings released in 2008. One instrument can make a dramatic difference. That's where the Ralph Lalama Quartet comes in. Energy Fields is like a trio with additional versatility. Tenor saxophonist Lalama is joined on this effort by guitarist John Hart, bassist Rick Petrone, and drummer Joe Corsello. All came of age during the period when John Coltrane and Miles Davis put their stamps on jazz. Collectively, ...
Continue ReadingRalph Lalama Quartet: Energy Fields
by Jim Santella
An exciting band with a firm melodic grasp, Ralph Lalama's quartet pours over musical themes with emphasis, as accents fall into place with angular motion and improvised forays push forcefully. The leader's suave tenor, John Hart's sultry guitar, Rick Petrone's driving acoustic bass and drummer Joe Corsello's rhythmic thunder combine gracefully to shape each tone poem with a lyrical message. With “Indian Summer," “Blackberry Winter," “Old Folks" and “Like Someone in Love," for example, Lalama and Hart apply vocal-like phrasing ...
Continue ReadingRalph Lalama: Music For Grown-Ups
by C. Andrew Hovan
For Ralph Lalama, living the jazz life means making ends meet by being involved with music on many disparate levels and in many various ways. The 48-year-old tenor man has been on the New York scene for several decades now, working as an educator, session musician, and leader of his own groups. Recent stints have also included a regular gig with the Village Vanguard and Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestras. Every so often though, he also manages to put together a ...
Continue ReadingThe Greg Hatza ORGANization: Snake Eyes
by Douglas Payne
Here's a nice soul-jazz date from Baltimore-based organist Greg Hatza that will happily take many back to the smoke filled clubs when organ combos ruled the scene. Some may remember the two nifty trio dates Hatza recorded for Coral in 1967 with guitarist Eric Gale and Grady Tate. If DJs ever happen upon these, they're sure to become acid-jazz classics. Hatza seems to have vanished from the scene as electronic keyboards and fusion took over jazz and resurfaced only recently, ...
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