Belmont University School of Music
FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2026
7:30 P.M.
MASSEY CONCERT HALL
Belmont University School of Music
presents
Frank Gambale, guitar
with Rock Ensemble and Commercial Guitar Ensemble I
GRAMMY Award-winning guitar virtuoso, Frank Gambale, exploded on the L.A. scene in the early ‘80s. His meteoric rise to fame is a testament to his passion-powered playing – a style Rolling Stone magazine called “ferocious!"
Gambale is an inspired songwriter with more than 300 songs published on 20+ albums. His music touches on many styles from rock, funk and jazz to R&B and some Latin and Brazillian influences.
As a legendary guitarist, Grammy Award Winner and three times Grammy Nominated, Gambale is an undisputed genius who originated the "Gambale Sweep Picking Technique" (an economy picking technique and a new way to play the instrument) and elevated it to a precise art form now standard in the guitar lexicon. The "Gambale Sweep Picking Technique" continues to inspire generations of musicians. Jazz, rock, metal and progressive artists alike are united in their awe of Frank Gambale as both an amazing technician and an unsurpassed musician.
As a jazz legend, Chick Corea, described Gambale this way: “Everything you touch with your guitar turns gold – always has." Corea also said "Frank is my favorite guitar player." Guitar great, John McLaughlin, joked: “I’d like to cut his hands off."
Jazz guitarist Pat Metheny says of Gambale: “I’d like to take a month off and study with Frank Gambale." Dweezil Zappa said "studying Frank Gambale's Sweep Picking technique enabled me to play the hardest parts of my father's music that he himself didn't play."
A musician’s musician, a gifted composer, and a brilliant innovator and author of numerous instructional books and DVDs, Frank Gambale continues to reach unprecedented sonic and technical heights. His six string prowess and seemingly limitless vision point toward an exciting future of groundbreaking music.
Rock Ensemble
Robbie Heyde*, guitar
Joey Tapawan, guitar
Alexander Gray, guitar
Will Whitesell, guitar
Matthew Trevino, bass
Brayden Brewer, bass
Gabe Musser, keys
Tristan Tran, keys
Quentin Khan, drums
Carter Hull, drums
Elana Purvis, vocals
with Special Guest
Frank Gambale, guitar
Commercial Guitar Ensemble I “Defused”
James Cook, guitar
Ryan Howard, guitar
Aaron Kroening, guitar
James Shaw, guitar
Caleb Travis, guitar
Luke LaMotta, bass
Wes Kotas, bass
Macahila Hinnenkamp, violin
Jonathan Janssen, keys
Clarke Judd, drums
Connor McLivaine, drums
with Special Guest
Frank Gambale, guitar
*School of Music Graduate Student
Join Belmont University’s College of Music and Performing Arts for Sounds of Belmont: The 36th Annual President’s Concert & Reception on Saturday, April 25th in the Fisher Center at Belmont University. Experience an evening of stories and songs to support our talented students. The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by a festive dessert reception for all guests and performers. The purchase of a ticket to this concert and reception will benefit endowed music and theatre scholarship funds for students in the college. Premier works from the College of Music and Performing Arts Fall 2025-Spring 2026 performance season will be showcased. This concert and reception is celebrating its thirty-sixth year (formerly the President’s Concert and Reception).
Reserve your tickets here
For more information on upcoming concerts and events, please visit www.belmont.edu/cmpa or “like” Belmont University School of Music on Facebook.
