Playing that familiar tune

With his jazz standards and show tunes, piano man Richie Fauno takes guests of Villa Nova’s piano bar back to a more leisurely past that for many exists only in memories.

For Sharon Sills, listening to Fauno play is the highlight of her week, and she has been doing it since he first started playing the Newport Beach restaurant more than 26 years ago.

“The atmosphere of the piano bar is very special,” said Sills, 59, who often provides the vocals to accompany Fauno’s tunes when she comes to Villa Nova. “It takes you to a different time, and it’s such an important era to keep reliving.”

The pianist relishes the opportunity to provide a familiar atmosphere for his listeners, and a chance to break from a hectic routine. Playing Sunday through Wednesday evenings, many of Fauno’s visitors stop in to relax at the end of the workday.

“Music has a way of transporting people to a simpler time,” said Fauno, who recently celebrated his 55th birthday. “It’s heartwarming for me to be able to bring those good memories out.”

Fauno moved to Costa Mesa from the East Coast, planning to continue his career as a music teacher.

But after playing in small clubs and restaurants, he discovered a love for performance.

Eventually, he auditioned at Villa Nova, and found the Italian Restaurant was the perfect environment to showcase his skills, owing some of his talent to his mother’s fine Italian cooking.

As a 3-year-old boy taking lessons in his New Jersey home, the aroma of stuffed artichokes enticed his piano instructor to stay after hours so she could savor the finished product, turning a half-hour piano lesson into several hours of instruction.

Now the lounge serves as a second home for Fauno, who considers his evening recitals to be more of a festivity than an obligation. He has many loyal customers who come to hear him play several times each week, and even contribute to the show now and then.

While working as a studio drummer for The Walt Disney Co., Ted Jolly would stop in at the restaurant while driving home from Burbank and found much more than entertainment there. Over the years, he and Fauno became good friends and Jolly eventually joined the act.

“I wasn’t getting paid, it was just relaxing for me,” said Jolly, 55, who met and proposed to his wife while performing at the restaurant for more than a year. “Richie is a tremendous musician to work with and he always made it fun.”

The Jollys aren’t the only couple for whom Fauno has played cupid. He receives holiday cards each year from several couples who met at the piano bar.

“People fall in love here, and feel I have something to do with it,” he said. “It’s so nice to do something so wonderful, and get paid for it.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Richie Fauno at the Villa Nova piano bar

WHEN: 8 p.m. to midnight, Sunday through Wednesday

WHERE: Villa Nova, 3131 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach

COST: Entertainment is free. Food and drinks are available.