The Pianist and the Porn Star

“I played piano for a porn star, Olivia O’Lovely, at the former Bing Crosby’s Piano Lounge in Linda Vista,” says frequent Red Fox Lounge performer David Owen. “I spotted her as soon as I walked in. I told her I loved her stuff and dedicated a song to her, Cole Porter’s ‘It’s De-Lovely.’” The song originated with Porter’s 1936 musical Red Hot & Blue, also the name of one of Miss O’Lovely’s 250-plus pornographic movies, though her Wikipedia page indicates she’s now retired from that field.

“I was in a panic looking for a camera before she left. The singer’s friend finally conceded and let me use it. I couldn’t figure out how to use it, so Olivia grabbed it playfully and said ‘Let me see it, I know how to work a camera.’ Pure joy.”

Owen, a resident of City Heights, graduated from UNM with a music degree in 2000, going on to perform with a series of variety, rock, jazz, and salsa bands, playing everything from solo piano to big-band arrangements. He currently serves as musical director and pianist for the True Faith Missionary Baptist Church on Poplar Street. “We play traditional and contemporary African-American Gospel,” says Owen.

“I am a full-time keyboardist, for the most part, and doing quite well working with many great musicians here in San Diego. I do teach music.... I used to be a full-time math and science teacher, but my credential did not transfer to California.”

With a repertoire of over 800 songs, Owen says, “I haven’t tried to showcase original music yet. Arrangements, accompaniment, and solos are where my creativity is expressed on recordings and gigs. The gigs I’ve played will give an indication of styles: cruise ships, piano bars, restaurants, dance clubs, weddings, casinos, corporate gigs, variety bands, and churches of many denominations.”

David Owen appears Saturday, August 13, at Via Lago Trattoria in Chula Vista.