The Drifters are a new Italian trio reimagining traditional Celtic music with a powerful, contemporary, and highly dynamic sound.

At the heart of the project is the Irish flute, bringing traditional melodies to life with precision, energy, and a deep respect for their roots. Around it, electric bass and DADGAD acoustic guitar create a distinctive musical language that pushes beyond the boundaries of folk.

The bass engages in a constant dialogue with the flute, introducing influences from jazz, pop, funk, and Latin music, while the guitar bridges tradition and modernity, bringing the modal language of Celtic music into a more contemporary rhythmic dimension.

Tempo shifts, sharp syncopations, prominent low frequencies, and a strong rhythmic drive have become the trio’s unmistakable signature.

The result is a balance between roots and innovation: authentic, recognizable melodies reimagined through a modern approach, with an immediate, energetic, and engaging live impact.

In recent years, the band has performed on major festival stages such as Montelago Celtic Festival, Abruzzo Irish Festival, and Triskell, steadily strengthening their musical identity and forging a strong connection with audiences. Collaborations with renowned Irish artists have further enriched their artistic journey.

On stage, the energy and emotional build are the result of careful musical research, balanced by spontaneous interplay, natural flow, and moments of improvisation—elements that allow The Drifters to share the most authentic spirit of traditional music with every audience they meet.

· ON STAGE ·

RICCARDO TRASSELLI

Electric Bass, Vocals, Synth

He holds a degree in Classical Double Bass from the Conservatorio Rossini di Pesaro, complementing his studies with jazz and improvisation training.
In 2011, he received a scholarship at the Arcevia Jazz Fest, leading to a cultural exchange in Cape Town, South Africa, where he performed with internationally acclaimed musicians.
As a classical performer, he has worked as a section double bassist with leading Italian orchestras, collaborating with the vocal trio Il Volo.
Drawn to Irish and traditional music from around the world, he has performed at major Irish and Celtic festivals across Italy. He later specialized in traditional accompaniment in Glasgow with members of the Scottish band Breabach.
Co-founder of Drifters, he is the band’s electric bassist and vocalist.

TOMMASO TORNIELLI

Irish Flute, Low Whistle

Classically trained, he began studying the Irish flute in the early 2000s, quickly launching an active performing career with Italian and international ensembles.
Over the years, he has shared the stage with renowned musicians such as Carlo Galantini, Luigi Fazzo, Oisín Mac Diarmada, and Frankie Gavin, as well as leading Irish bands including Gráda, Lúnasa, and Téada. Since 2013, he has been an honorary member of the Innisfree Céilí Band.
In 2016, he released his debut solo album 1st, acclaimed by Italian and Irish critics for its technical excellence and deep devotion to Irish traditional music.
In 2017, he earned a diploma in Irish flute from Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, receiving the prestigious Mícheál Ó hEidhin Medal in recognition of his outstanding technical skills and commitment to the dissemination of Irish musical culture..

JACOPO VENTURA

Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Stomp

Jacopo Ventura is recognized as one of the leading guitarists on the European folk scene and works with Bal Folk and Irish music projects including Andrea Capezzuoli e Compagnia, Gadan, Lyradanz, and Folkamiseria, blending the energy of traditional acoustic music with a modern and distinctive approach.
Regularly touring across Europe, North and South America, and Australia, he has performed at some of the leading international folk and traditional music festivals, including Milwaukee Irish Fest (USA), Île de Tatihou (France), Carrefour mondial de l’accordéon (Québec), Ennis Trad Fest (Ireland), and New Zealand Folk Festival, as well as at the United States Congress in Washington, D.C. On several occasions, he has been part of the first or only Italian band ever invited in the history of a festival.
He has shared the stage with some of the most prominent names in European traditional, revival, and contemporary folk music, including Lúnasa, The Dubliners, Carlos Núñez, Talisk, Elephant Sessions, Plantec, Solas, Skerryvore, and many others.

· CONTACTS ·

EPK / Promo