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The Lalama Brothers: Erie Avenue

By Dan Bilawsky
March 23, 2014
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The Lalama brothers have logged plenty of miles in the jazz world, but Erie Avenue, so named for the street where the brothers grew up in West Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, is the first record they've ever put out together.

Pianist

Dave Lalama

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Lalama has worked with everybody from drum titan

Buddy Rich

drums
1917 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Buddy Rich to vocal icon

Anita O'Day

vocals
1919 - 2006

" data-original-title="" title="">Anita O'Day, and he currently helms Hofstra University's jazz program. Saxophonist

Ralph Lalama

saxophone
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Ralph Lalama is a talented leader, sought after sideman, and mainstay in the

Vanguard Jazz Orchestra

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Each man has carved out his own niche over the years, but time has done nothing to diminish the musical connection and chemistry shared between these brothers; they speak the same language, which they learned together long ago, and they love the musical conversations they have.

Erie Avenue brings the Lalama brothers together with the formidable rhythm section of bassist

Peter Washington

bass
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Washington and drummer

Kenny Washington

drums
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Washington. Many a jazz fan will recognize that combination as the rhythmic core of pianist

Bill Charlap

piano
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Charlap's heralded trio, but both men also have history with Ralph Lalama; they served as his rhythm section on Feelin' And Dealin' (Criss Cross, 1990), so this album serves as a reunion-of-sorts for all of them.

Together, this foursome gets funky ("Erie Avenue"), swings through the classics ("Four Brothers"), and delivers a winning tribute to the late

Dennis Irwin

bass
1951 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Dennis Irwin ("Till We Meet Again"). Other highlights on this group's playlist include a driving take on pianist

Cedar Walton

piano
1934 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Cedar Walton's "Firm Roots" and a "Portrait Of Jennie" that's underscored by a dignified Kenny Washington tom groove.

While the majority of the album tracks are quartet offerings, the brothers Lalama bring saxophonist

Joe Lovano

drums
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Lovano into the party with his G mezzo soprano saxophone on two numbers—"Two For Two" and the calypso-leaning "Five Brothers." They also go it as a duo on the soulful "The Gospel According To..." and "Everything Happens To Me," which has Dave Lalama pulling double duty as singer and pianist.

The Lalama brothers have earned their jazz stripes a hundred times over by now, so they have nothing to prove, but they continue to push forward and spread the gospel of this great music. May they continue to keep on doing their thing(s)—together and apart—for many years to come.

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Track Listing

Erie Avenue; Two For Two; Portrait Of Jennie; Five Brothers; Nofrey And Jennie; Four Brothers; Till We Meet Again; Firm Roots; The Gospel According To...; Everything Happens To Me.

Personnel

Ralph Lalama

saxophone

Ralph Lalama: tenor saxophone; Dave Lalama: piano; Peter Washington: bass; Kenny Washington: drums; Joe Lovano: G mezzo soprano saxophone (2, 4).

Album information

Title: Erie Avenue | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Self Produced

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