An excellent if underrated tenor saxophonist who often sounds straight from the prime years of Blue Note (most influenced by Hank Mobley and Sonny Rollins), Ralph Lalama has been a valuable soloist on many records. Born to a drummer and a singer, Lalama has been a part of the New York jazz scene since the 1970s. He became a permanent member of the Village Vanguard Orchestra in 1983 (when it was still co-led by Thad Jones and Mel Lewis), was a member of the Metropolitan Bopera House (later the Danny D'Imperio Sextet), and has led several excellent sessions for the Criss Cross label. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi