Pine musician creates a video for his beloved Pittsburgh
Local musician Nick Navari wanted to bring some positivity to Pittsburgh during the pandemic.
So, he came up with a video love letter.
He played Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” with visuals of Pittsburgh’s most treasured spots in a two-minute video.
The 24-year-old from Pine was filmed playing his own rendition of the song at 28 Pittsburgh locations. They include Heinz Field, Kennywood, the historic Pennsylvanian building and the Cathedral of Learning in Oakland. And, of course, Primanti’s.
He wore T-shirts and hats from Pittsburgh’s Steel City Clothing and the jerseys of former Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and the Penguins’ Sidney Crosby.
Special thanks to @SteelCityBrand for the shirts and hats! https://t.co/pS2nknu5eW
— Nick Navari (@nnavari) May 26, 2020
Navari said he wanted to wear Pittsburgh gear for each shot and when he told the owners of Steel City Clothing his plan they gave him the Mister Rogers shirt “Look for the Helpers” with a heart behind it so he played the song in front of the Steel City Clothing store. He said he was inspired by the message out front which reads: “Tough times didn’t break us, they made us.”
Navari, an investment research analyst for Hefren Tillotson, a Pittsburgh-based full-service wealth management company, has been playing the piano for almost 20 years.
He said he was sitting at home in March as the pandemic enveloped the lives of many. He conjured up a message of hope.
He titled the collaboration: “Dear Pittsburgh.”
Navari made a list of what he calls touristy spots. If the area was flat he would play the piano. He also played the guitar and drums at other stops. Filming took five days. It took two weeks to compile the finished product.
“Music is a huge part of who I am,” he said. “Music is the best hobby to have. And this song is great because every generation knows it. A quick little song can go a long way.”
He said he wasn’t going to sing the lyrics because he “doesn’t have the chops for that.”
He thought quick cuts from each site would be appealing. Navari’s parents Nick and Sharon filmed the piece with an iPhone on a tripod while also transporting the piano, guitar and drum set.
“We didn’t see many people out when we were filming because people were staying home,” he said. “I stood outside the Armstrong Tunnels and not one car came out or went in the tunnels.”
“’Don’t Stop Believin” came into my head for a week leading up to this project and if you think about the words they are perfect because they send that message of hope for a better future,” he said.
That message became even more vital after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Navari said.
“I began the video as a way to help with a safe and healthy future,” he said. “ With everything that has been going on with the death of George Floyd and the protests we need hope more than ever.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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