BY MAYGEN NAVARRO
World-renowned bassist and Central Florida resident Dave LaRue — a former adjunct professor at Stetson University — is performing in the Orlando area before he goes on a national tour in October.
Grammy-nominated LaRue will perform for two nights in Central Florida with his new band, L.A.X.
LaRue will headline the national tour alongside John Petrucci and Mike Portnoy.
His newest project, LaRue/Alexander (L.A.X), features his longtime friend and colleague Glenn Alexander, along with Van Romaine on drums.
The local shows are at The Green Parrot in Casselberry on Friday, Sept. 16, and at The Music Ranch in Lakeland on Saturday, Sept. 17.
“Stevie Ray Vaughn meets the Dixie Dregs” is how L.A.X. has been described by reviewers, an honor they are proud to uphold.
L.A.X. is the culmination of 25-plus years of LaRue and Alexander playing and writing together. The project takes the duo in a new direction, featuring a blues rock sound with vocals, in addition to the virtuosic instrumental emphasis for which the two have long been critically acclaimed.
Here’s more information about the local shows: The Green Parrot is at 280 State Road 436 in Casselberry. Showtime is at 8 p.m. Sept. 16, and tickets cost $10. More information is available at https://www.thegreenparrotbar.com/store/event/lax-live-at-the-green-parrot.
The Music Ranch is at 1920 Banana Road in Lakeland. Showtime here is at 8 p.m. Sept. 17, and tickets cost $25. Find more information at https://musicranch.org/live-music.
ABOUT THE BAND
Dave LaRue is an American bassist who has performed with the Dixie Dregs since 1988 and the Steve Morse band since 1989. He is the bassist for Joe Satriani, Dream Theater’s John Petrucci, and Flying Colors. He is a two-time Grammy nominee and an Ernie Ball-endorsed artist.
Glenn Alexander is an American guitarist. His credits include artists such as Max Weinberg 7 (Conan O’Brien), Levon Helm, Randy Brecker, Mahavishnu Project and Jan Hammer, and he is currently on the roster for Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.
Van Romaine is an American drummer and musical director. His credits include the Steve Morse Band, Enrique Iglesias, BS&T, Kansas, Bernie Worrell, Vinnie Moore, Naughty By Nature and Queen Latifah.
— Navarro is a DeLand resident. After getting her degree in music business she began to study bass guitar under LaRue in Fern Park, Orlando. Readers can catch Navarro’s duo and trio playing throughout Volusia and Seminole counties a few times a month.