Bop Juice
Biographie Bop Juice
Ralph Lalama
A solid fixture of the New York jazz scene and respected world-wide, Ralph Lalama embodies the best of the jazz sound ideal – great time, great swing, expressed through great melodic ideas. Everything he says and plays comes out of his deep connection and appreciation for “the Beat.” Jazz critic Zan Stewart put it succinctly: “Lalama is a grand, modern-minded storyteller…a first-class jazz soloist.” He excels in a chord-less trio format with his amazing command of the harmonic progressions articulated through his horn. But on top of being a great jazz soloist, Lalama is equally a solid veteran of jazz ensembles and orchestras. Over his impressive career starting with Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, and the Mel Lewis Orchestra – now the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra – he has honed the craft of sonic blending.
Lalama is a three-time Grammy winner through his work in the Joe Lovano Nonet and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. He has nine CDs out as a leader and is on more than sixty recordings as a sideman. He has received praise from the likes of critics Gary Giddins, Stanley Crouch, Ben Ratliff, Ira Gitler and Stuart Troup, among others. His latest release as a leader is the 2012 “Bop Juice: Ralph Lalama Trio, Live at Smalls.”
Ralph Lalama’s playing reveals an enormous depth of musical heart and knowledge. With his muscular, free-wheeling sound and masterful ability to tell a story through his horn, one understands why he so thoroughly connects with musicians, students and listeners alike.
Patrick O'Leary
bassist, studied piano and bass at Potsdam State University's Crane School of Music where he received his B.A. in music. Originally from Buffalo and now living in New York City, he has toured the U.S., Canada, Europe, South America, Australia, and Japan with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, the Illinois Jacquet Orchestra, the Hal Garper Trio, and Teri Thornton. Also with Hampton, he recorded the Grammy-nominated Sentimental Journey (Atlantic). O'Leary has recorded with J.R. Monterose, Mundell Lowe, Mel Lewis, Bucky Pizzarelli, Jerry Bergozi, and Scott Robinson. Other artists with whom O'Leary has played include Diana Krall, James Moody, Junior Cook, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, Barry Harris, Junior Mance, Joe Williams, and Marlena Shaw. He regularly appears at The Blue Note, The Village Vanguard, Bradley's, Fat Tuesdays, The Iridium, and has recently performed at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall. As a 2001 Jazz Ambassador, he toured West Africa, and in 2002 toured Southeast Asia and South America.
Clifford Barbaro
is a drummer who has performed and recorded with numerous major artists over the years including Betty Carter, Charles Tolliver, Jon Hendricks, John Hicks, Lionel Hampton, Walter Bishop, Jr., the Sun Ra Arkestra, and James Carter. He is also a member of the trio Bop Juice which features tenor saxophonist Ralph Lalama and the late bassist Dennis Irwin.
