Jazz Alumni’s “Spotlight On . . .” series welcomes Dave Lalama (B.M., ‘76) for interview

Volume one of the Jazz Alumni’s “Spotlight On . . .” series is set to feature YSU alumnus Dave Lalama for a virtual interview Thursday, January 21.

Lalama graduated from YSU in 1976 with a Bachelor of Music and went on to earn Master of Arts and Doctor of Arts degrees in composition from New York University. He has worked at Hofstra University since 1984, where he has served as a professor of music and an associate chair of the music department. He is also a founding faculty member of the Manhattan School of Music’s jazz program.

Lalama has performed and recorded with numerous popular artists, including Woody Herman, Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Shaw, and Stan Getz. He has also made appearances at the JVC Jazz Festival, the Carnegie Recital Hall, and with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.

Lalama has arranged music for artists such as Buddy Rich, Mel Lewis, Herman, and the off-Broadway musical “Satchmo.” His premiered compositions include “Sonata-4-Saxes” for the Long Island Saxophone Quartet, “Sound Government” for the Wind Ensemble, and “Variations on a Theme of T.S. Monk.”