Looking For Answers
Albert Romano – Looking for answers
Al romano, Peter Diamond, with Dave Bootle looking on.
Originally from a big Italian family in Providence, Rhode Island, Al Romano was the oldest – he had four sisters. His uncle, Tony Tomasso, lived next door. He was big band trumpeter who could have been a big star but did not want to leave home and tour. Uncle Tony played with many of the best musicians in the country. Whenever the great Louis Armstrong was in Providence, he would find Uncle Tony’s gig and sit in with him.
Uncle Tony was a big influence on Al. He use to listen to music with Uncle Tony and learned a lot from him. Al studied guitar for about a year while growing up but other than that, did not have much formal music training. He graduated from Brown University in Providence and Villanova Law School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After graduation and passing the Bar, Al returned to Providence and began a long successful legal career but kept singing every chance he got.
The Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri was a good friend. The governor’s wife Sue was the leader of the local Elvis Fan Club, and after hearing Al sing, she would always request Elvis songs for Al to sing at every dinner party and some of the formal functions.
Al had always loved music. He represented several nightclubs that had bands and vocalists. B.B. King performed in one of his client’s clubs and he got to meet him. He thought B.B. King was an amazing performer and an even better human being. Al spoke to King every chance he got -B.B. King was very generous with his time.
After Hurricane Floyd in 1999, Al’s mother, who had retired in Florida, had some roof damage, Al visited to help take care of her home. They also took a quick road trip to Key West. In 2003, Al returned to Key West with his wife for a Valentine’s Day holiday. St. Valentines love was certainly in the air as they both fell in love with the community and quickly bought a house. He now lives in Key West nine months out of the year.
In 2014, Al was invited to compete in the Aqua Idol contest. He sang mostly Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennet songs and won. The contest put him on the musical map in Key West. He performs at several venues around town and has met many other musicians and vocalists.
He performed with Bobby Nesbitt at La Te Da and also performs at Two Friends periodically. Through his association with Two Friends, Al met a group of fellow music lovers and formed Island Boys, a quartet with Jerry Downs, Bill Melchior, and Tennessee Richard Carraway. They sing old standards and rock ‘n’ roll. The Island Boys have performed at the Higgs Beach Pavilion and other opportunities.
Al recently performed at Larry Smith’s, Key West Male Vocalists Cabaret at the Key West Theater with Peter Diamond, Dave Bootle, Denis Hyland, Joe Tripp, and Clayton Lopez. The show was well produced by “Drill Sargent Larry” who had multiple rehearsals with many changes and additions. It was like a mini-Broadway production and very entertaining. During most of the rehearsals, Larry seemed to “yell” at Al the most which helped endear him to the other vocalists.
His favorite gig was a performance at the Truman Little White House for the crew of USNS Comfort, the hospital ship that was headed for relief duty in Haiti. The very young crew were dressed casually for the event. Al remembers singing the national anthem, and every sailor immediately stopped and snapped to attention for the song. It brought tears to his eyes.
Al loves music and many different artists – the Rat Pack of course – but also Louis Armstrong, Dion, and Bobby Darin. Surprisingly, Al is a huge Jimmy Buffett fan and his favorite song is “He Went to Paris”. Al may have been “looking for answers to questions that bothered him so.”
As irony would have it Jimmy Buffett’s last public performance was in Middletown, Rhode Island with Mac McAnally. He passed away a month later.
“But the warm summer breezes
The French wines and cheeses
Put his ambition at bay”
Larry Smith’s Key West Male Vocalist Cabaret, at the Key West Theater
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