During their heyday, The Jaywalkers routinely packed bars and clubs throughout the area like Steve Brody's, Groh's, Candy Cane Lounge, and Mrs. Jay's. Gadsby played saxophone and was one of the musicians who helped build the horn-based R&B sound that became synonymous with the Jersey Shore.
"Larry was one of the originators of the sound that so many claimed in the late 70's and 80's," said Doc Holiday. "He was there when it all began in the late 50's and 60's to set the ground work for what was to be known as 'The Sound Of Asbury Park'. His participation in The Jersey Shore's legendary 'Jaywalkers' will never be forgotten".
Gadsby's name can be found on a plaque located on the boardwalk next to Convention Hall that honors the pioneers of the Asbury Park music scene. He was last seen by many at the 2006 dedication to the monument and the Creators of S.O.A.P. (Sound of Asbury Park) concert at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park that followed.
"As I recall, Larry started as a sax player with John Shaw, Jim Cattanach (Jack Valentine), John Consoli (Cos) and Richard Hetherton (Fletcher Henderson)," said Jim (Jack Valentine) Cattanach. "The group was called the Tokays and we worked the Belmar Canteen in the basement of the Belmar Borough Hall behind what used to be Pat’s Diner. That was as early as 1955 or 1956 and we were all in school together at Manasquan High. The Tokays were the forerunner of the infamous Jaywalkers, and for several years after those early days we all worked together at one time or the other. Cos, Fletch, Larry and myself were all in the MHS marching band, which led to our forming the group. Larry, John and I met for lunch here in South Florida just before John's passing. Larry (The Great Gadsby) was a great friend and a great guy He will be sorely missed."
Billy Ryan and many other pioneers of the Asbury Park music scene echo those sentiments. "He will be missed as will all of our fallen brothers," said Ryan. "I remember his tireless enthusiasm and great humility, he was an inspiration to me and everyone he came in contact. Great singer, he sang 'Devil with the Blue Dress On' in Michigan at the Shamrock -- one of our big tunes of the day."
"In 1968, I had the honor of playing in the band 'Peaches and Cream' with the Great Gadsby," recalled Mike Totaro. "We played many of the clubs in the Asbury, Belmar, and Long Branch area. I was a fan of Larry's since his time with 'The Jaywalkers.' He was not only a great sax player that lent to that great 'Jaywalker sound,' Larry was intelligent, witty, and loved to tell jokes. There was never a dull moment when he was around."
"Gadsby" was my type of musician. A very reliable horn man with a great sense of humor; He always dressed well on stage and looked and sounded professional. Job well done, RIP," said Kenny "Popeye" Pentifallo.
"Larry Gadsby was a true gentleman and pioneer of the music from Asbury Park," added Vini "Maddog" Lopez. "It was good to see him in 2006. He will be missed by all that knew him. My prayers are with him and his family at this time; May God Bless him."
The original plaque honoring the creators of the Sound of Asbury Park was dedicated on December 9, 2006 and included the names: The Johnny Shaw, Billy Ryan, Bruce Springsteen, Garry Tallent, Steve Van Zandt, Mickey Holiday, "Stormin'" Norman Seldin, Vini "Maddog" Lopez, Fast Eddie "Doc Holiday" Wohanka, Billy "CherryBomb" Lucia, Clarence Clemons, Nicky Addeo, Donnie Lowell, Jim "Jack Valentine" Cattanach, Ken "Popeye" Pentifallo, Jay Pilling, John "Cos" Consoli, Gary "A" Arntz, Larry "The Great" Gadsby, Steve "Mole" Wells, Ray Dahrouge, Johnny "A" Arntz, David Sancious, Margaret Potter, Tom Potter, Sonny Kenn, Tom Wuorio, Rick DeSarno, Southside Johnny Lyon, Leon Trent, Buzzy Lubinsky, Danny Federici, Bill Chinnock., Patsy Siciliano, Sam Siciliano.
An additional plaque was added on August 29, 2008 honoring John Luraschi, Carl "Tinker" West, George Theiss, Vinnie Roslin, Mike Totaro, Lenny Welch, Steve Lusardi, and Johnny Petillo.
Join us for McCarter at the Museum - renowned performing artists in one-night only events at the Princeton University Art Museum.
Jason Robert Brown is a four-time Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist of The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World, 13, The Bridges of Madison County, Honeymoon In Vegas and The Connector, has performed as a soloist or with his band in venues around the world, including sold-out shows at the London Palladium and Carnegie Hall. His albums as a singer-songwriter include Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes and How We React and How We Recover on Ghostlight, and Coming From Inside the House and Live In Concert with Stephen Sondheim on Concord.
With Special Guest Tony nominee Betsy Wolfe. Tony Award-nominated actress Betsy Wolfe is currently starring as Audrey in the acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors, following her recent Broadway run as Madeline Ashton in the hit musical Death Becomes Her. She previously originated the title role in Joy, the new musical inspired by inventor Joy Mangano, and earned a 2023 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her celebrated performance as Anne Hathaway in & Juliet. Other Broadway credits include starring as Jenna in Waitress, Cordelia in the acclaimed revival of Falsettos, Bullets Over Broadway, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Everyday Rapture, and 110 in the Shade, as well as her critically acclaimed performance as Cathy in the Off-Broadway revival of The Last Five Years. Wolfe made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Die Fledermaus and has appeared as a guest artist with more than 65 symphony, pops, and philharmonic orchestras worldwide, including the New York Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestra, with performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Her screen credits include First One In, Estella Scrooge, CBS’s Instinct, and the film adaptation of The Last Five Years. Wolfe is also the co-founder of BroadwayEvolved, the acclaimed musical theatre training program she launched in 2018 to train and mentor the next generation of theatre artists.
A limited number of early access tickets for McCarter Director’s Circle members and members of the Museum’s Partner Circle are available, on sale Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM. General public on sale begins Friday, September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
Please be aware there is no public drop-off or parking at the Museum. For visitors with mobility needs, please contact the Museum at least three business days in advance of your visit to request special access to the Museum via Elm Drive. Call 609-258-3788 and select option 1 to speak to a visitor services staff member, or email Louise Barrett at [email protected].
