Profile: Frankie Lombardi

When you go out to hear The Michael Kach Group at the The Irish Rover on Tuesday night, take note of the percussive passion of drummer Frankie Lombardi. Watch him take off on one of his no-holds-barred journeys of sticks on skins. Whew! The energy just flows out of him and flies around the room.

Who is this guy, and where else has he played during his 25 year career behind the drum set? He studied at the drummer's collective in NYC, then moved to Boston to attend the Berklee School of Music. While in Boston, he was a member of the rock band, Sunshine Jive.

Lombardi's next stop was California, where he played with guitarist Blues Saraceno and opened for Steve Smith's Vital Information. On his return to Boston, he recorded on Sunshine Jive's eponymous debut release at Michael Bolton's Passion Studios in Westport, CT. The record was released in Japan and 14 countries in Europe by MTM music (a German company).

Frankie moved home to NYC to play with Furious Styles, described as a 'Tower of Power without horns.' During this time, he recorded his first solo release, entitled "Shank Songs". Frankie Lombardi also serves as a staff music writer (programmer) for Soundtrack Recording Studio's N.Y.C./Boston, and has played drums and percussion on numerous recording sessions including Fayva, Home Depot, AT&T, WWF, Sylvania, Casual Male, Baybank, Tupperware, SNET, Volkswagon, WCW, Norelco, etc.

Most recently, he toured with Dickey Betts & Great Southern. With Betts' decision to take a break from the concert circuit, Frankie Lombardi has been keeping The Michael Kach Group on track at The Irish Rover on Tuesday nights. The show starts at 7:30PM and keeps everyone on the edge of their seats until 10PM.

The Irish Rover, in Gulf Gate, Sarasota, is smoke-free and family-friendly. Unbelievably, The Michael Kach Group show is cover-free. Throw some green into the tip jar, though. These performers are world-class, and Lombardi is right up with them.