The Crooners take the stage; Hart, DePaola and Bright make beautiful music together.
The joint was jumping on Saturday night to the hot licks provided by the Dick Bright Orchestra while “Crooners,” Al Hart and Nicky DePaola sang their hearts out for the benefit for the Creative Arts Building.
Saturday’s concert benefits the restoration of the 45-year-old 2,000 seat performing arts center located on the Pittsburg High School campus that has hosted performers such as Louis Armstrong, James Brown, Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder.
The concert featured long time radio talent Al Hart and Pittsburg native Nicky DePaola as the evenings “Crooners.” The Dick Bright Orchestra opened the evening with the classic “Satin Doll,” and the Black Diamond Follies dancers performed to “You Gotta Have Heart,” which also introduced singer, Al Hart.
Hart offered a set of classics including “Paper Moon,” “Pennies from Heaven,” “It Had to be You,” “Its Almost Like Being in Love,” and “What a Wonderful World.” The band backed him alternately with subtle piano and snare drum, to its full sound complete with a horn section and Dick Bright himself on the violin.
Pittsburg native and Olympic sprinter Eddie Hart kept the audience energy high as the Emcee for the evening, and brought Al Hart out after his set for a brief chat in front of the curtain.
“Who ever thought a broken down sprinter would interview Al Hart,” said Eddie Hart referring to Al Hart’s career of over 50 years as a Bay Area broadcaster.
The Black Diamond Follies dancers, in their feathers and fishnets, did their share of keeping the audience entranced with their slinky steps, kicks and choreography. They also adorned the lighted staircase for the entrance of Nicky DePaola and led him to his spot center stage where he began his generous set of more than ten numbers. From Sinatra to Elvis, and many other songs where just the introductory music itself brought applause from the audience, DePaola had the house in his hand from his opening number of “Hello Young Lovers,” to his final song, “The Wonder of You.”
DePaola sang and danced an energetic set that revealed the kind of onstage presence and personality that can’t be contained by the footlights. It was easy to see why this Pittsburg native was chosen as Reno’s best lounge act of 2001. DePaola graduated from Pittsburg High School just a couple decades ago, and seemed to be having the time of his life being back at the Creative Arts Building. Along with the Dick Bright Orchestra, DePaola was accompanied by award winning keyboardist, Danny Daniels.
In addition to the live band, singers and dancers, audience members got a brief preview of Pittsburg Community Theatre’s upcoming production or “Bye, Bye, Birdie,” as well as the chance to bid on the silent auction.
Reed Custer ran the box office for the event at the PHS theater, a place he knows well from his 30 years as a math teacher there. He was impressed with the turn out.
“There’s a heck of a crowd,” said Custer. Custer had a special tie to the evening’s entertainment in DePaola.
“Nicky was one of my students. My daughter had him sing at her wedding,” said Custer. “It’s a small world.”
Ken Gray, Pittsburg’s Recreation Supervisor said the event pulled in a crowd of more than 500.
“We got a lot of people from out of town,” said Gray.
Judy Onopchenko came with her group of Red Hat Society ladies from the Martinez area and brought her friend Marilyn Ferline to the show.
“It was great,” said Onopchenko. “This is a beautiful building. It’s a great resource for the community.”
“It reminded me of my past, when we used to go hear bands back in the 50’s,” said Ferline. She was also impressed with the Black Diamond Follies dancers as well as the Emcee Eddie Hart. “They were good,” said Ferline of the dancers. “He’s a good Emcee. He’s really a sweet heart, isn’t he.”
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