They do it his way

There’s no need to sadly reminisce about the days when Frank Sinatra crooned in casinos and venues around the world. His spirit is alive and well right here in Costa Mesa.

Every Monday and Tuesday during dinner service, David Kinwald pays tribute to Old Blue Eyes at La Cave steakhouse and bar.

He’s got the moves, he’s got the voice, he’s got the look, and he’s attracted some regular customers too.

Among them are Massachusetts residents Jean and Bob Kneeland, who make sure to catch one of Kinwald’s shows every time they are visiting their daughter, Bobbie of Huntington Beach.

“The first time we came … he [Dad] was taking double-takes at the show,” Bobbie Kneeland said. “It was so strange. He said it was like seeing a 60-year-old Sinatra performing again.”

Bob Kneeland has been a Sinatra fan since the 1940s, and his wife said they have “everything Frank Sinatra ever did in the house.”

Jean Kneeland said Kinwald’s performance was right on, even perfect after she sang along and clapped at his performance Tuesday evening.

But Kinwald, of Fountain Valley, isn’t going to be the only game in town next week that’s Sinatra related.

Prominent jazz musician John Pizzarelli will perform songs from his new album “Dear Mr. Sinatra” — as well as some holiday favorites — at the Samueli Theater at the Orange County Performing Arts Center on Dec. 15 and 16.

Pizzarelli released the album about six months ago, which, like the Kneeland’s Massachusetts home, has all things Sinatra.

The album honors the work of Sinatra and has all the classics.

Why the reason for the Sinatra tributes? To the singers, it’s simple — he’s influenced almost every singer, they said, and his music is timeless.

“People are still affected by the mystique and presence of Sinatra,” Pizzarelli said Thursday in a phone interview from his Seattle hotel room.

“Sinatra had a bunch of guys he was with — they were all movie stars, they were all good looking, they all wore tuxedoes, it was all magical…. There’s a romance about the time and the music, and although the time may fade away, the pictures are black and white, but the music remains in Technicolor. It remains this force, you just can’t deny it,” he added.

For Pizzarelli, paying tribute to Sinatra is a no-brainer. His father, jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, played on Sinatra albums, as well as on Ray Charles and Tony Bennett albums.

The younger Pizzarelli also opened for the singer 18 times in the early 1990s at performances around the world. But when the big moment came to meet Sinatra, it was fairly uneventful.

“I always thought it was going to be this big moment, but when it happened, all he said was, ‘Eat something, you look bad,’ ” Pizzarelli said with a laugh.

“And that was about it. But the funny thing was, when we would play casinos in the United States, we would always see him in the wings listening to us. Sintra was always there listening and was quite gracious to be supportive of us in that way.”

Kinwald has been a performer since he gave his first piano recital in Santa Ana at age 4. Between his time acting in theater productions, Kinwald said he always sang along with Frank Sinatra songs. When a friend invited him out for his first karaoke experience, an agent plopped down her card and he started booking gigs to spread the Sinatra vibe around. Aside from the La Cave gig, he also does private parties, a Frank and Dean show, as well as a Rat Pack show that travels all over the country.

His love for Sinatra’s music keeps him loving his job.

“There were just so many things that made Mr. Sinatra what he was,” Kinwald said. “The way he approached the material, whether it was a screenplay or a song — he was the first one to really conversationalize a song, like he’s speaking to you…. He gave the impression he was singing right to you, even if he was in front of thousands of people.”

Whether the performance is seen in the 500-seat Samueli Theater or in the intimate back room of La Cave, both singers are just glad to be spreading Sinatra’s music to people of all ages.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: David Kinwald paying tribute to Frank Sinatra

WHERE: La Cave steakhouse and bar, 1695 Irvine Ave., Costa Mesa

WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays

COST: Show is free, drinks and food extra

INFO: (949) 646-7644

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Jazz guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli paying tribute to Frank Sinatra

WHERE: Samueli Theater at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa

WHEN: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16

COST: $55 and $65

INFO: www.ocpac.org