Andy Lalasis and Musical Collusion
October 11 @ 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Andy Lalasis and Musical Collusion
OCT. 11 • 9:00 P.M
GREGORY’S RESTAURANT & BAR
Open seating and FREE event!
Bassist Andy Lalasis: A career surrounded by greatness
By Bruce Klauber
Bassist Andy Lalasis is known as a “first call player.” For those not in the music business, when any top-tier singer, band, orchestra or ensemble is in need of a bass player – whether the genre is pop, jazz, fusion, rock, funk, country music or symphonic music – Andy Lalasis is called first.
On May 28, 1978, Resorts International Hotel/Casino, the first legal gambling casino in New Jersey, opened. Musicians in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas flocked to the shore. Lalasis was one of them, moving to Smithville, where he still resides.
He got his start at All That Jazz, a place on Pacific Avenue, playing from 2 to 5 a.m. The band was led by an artist who would become a giant in Atlantic City and elsewhere; reedman Michael Pedicin, Jr. Bobby Young, who would become the contractor at Steve Wynn’s Golden Nugget, wandered in one night and was so blown away by Lalasis and the rhythm section that he offered him a job.
The spot within the Golden Nugget was Elaine’s lounge where the rhythm section backed a different act each week including Buddy Greco, Keely Smith, Joanie Sommers, Billy Daniels, Frank D’Rone, and many others.
Joining Andy and Musical Collusion on October 11th at Gregory’s will be Josh Orlando – drums, Demetrious Pappas – Keys, and Bob Ferguson- Trpt.
