Retro Cool Meets Modern Soul with The Doo-Wop Project

The Doo Wop Project consist of Dominic Nolfi, Charl Brown, Dwayne Cooper, Russell Fischer, John Michael Dias, and Sonny Paladino.

Step back in time and let the harmonies carry you through decades of musical history when The Doo-Wop Project returns on May 11 to Popejoy Hall. Known for their polished performances and heartfelt vocals, this Broadway-born group brings their distinctive mix of nostalgia and innovation back to Albuquerque.

Founding member Dominic Nolfi shared his excitement about their return. "First of all, we're thrilled to return to Popejoy. Love playing there—always fun, always a great house, great energy," he said. "And we like Albuquerque as well. We like the food and the people. So that's great."

The Doo-Wop Project was born when Nolfi and several fellow performers from Jersey Boys decided to channel their love of doo-wop music into something more. "We had this idea, let's sing doo-wop music,' he recalled. "Like there's gotta be some—like we could get some privates doing this, maybe somebody in the Northeast will hire us."

That modest dream has since grown into a national tour, multiple album releases, and performances at major venues. What started as a handful of small gigs quickly evolved. "The first year we did three gigs...then...next year was ten," Nolfi shared. "Then we said, oh, okay, well, maybe we can do more. It just built slowly like that."

Their show features a mix of original doo-wop classics and what the group calls "doo-wop-ified" versions of modern hits. "We take one of these contemporary songs, let's deconstruct it into a doo-wop song and see what that would sound like because we think it would work," Nolfi said. "We call that—our bass, Dwayne Cooper, he coined it—'doo-wop-ifying' a song."

What is it about this music that continues to resonate with audiences? According to Nolfi, it's about shared experience. "I think it's like an American tradition, this music, you know? And I think everyone—it was cross-cultural - so everyone can relate to it, and everybody claims it," he said. "There's these foundational groups that we pay homage to throughout the show. But then we also go, this music inspired so much music that came after it."

Audiences can expect a vibrant experience that feels both familiar and fresh. Their setlist often includes nostalgic hits like "December 1963 (Oh What a Night)" by The Four Seasons, as well as newer songs like Amy Winehouse's "Valerie," Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours," and even "Friends in Low Places" by Garth Brooks, all rearranged in doo-wop style. "It's multi-generational. So you can bring your grandma, right? But then, you can bring your kid too," said Nolfi. "Everyone's enjoying it and knows the songs because we've all heard before...in movies or culture."

Much of the group's chemistry stems from their shared Broadway roots. "If you happen to get a nice array of voices—we have these guys that sing high, guys that sing low, I'm a middle voice—and we work together on Broadway learning material very quickly, so it's easy. We can work in shorthand with each other."

The show's success also owes a lot to musical director Sonny Paladino, who not only arranges vocals and hires the backing band but also brings years of Broadway expertise to the project. "He charts everything and deals with all that... but we all contribute. It's a great little process that we have."

In addition to Nolfi, the group includes Charl Brown, a Tony nominee for his role as Smokey Robinson in Motown: The Musical; Dwayne Cooper, whose powerful bass voice draws comparisons to Sammy Davis Jr. and Barry White; Russell Fischer, who debuted in Jersey Boys on his 22nd birthday; and John Michael Dias, known for playing Frankie Valli and Neil Sedaka on Broadway. Together, their voices blend into a rich, harmonious sound that brings audiences to their feet.

Doo-wop itself is deeply rooted in the vocal traditions of African American communities. Though the term didn't gain widespread use until the 1960s, its origins stretch back to the 1940s and beyond, inspired by spirituals, barbershop quartets, and early jazz groups like The Mills Brothers. The Doo-Wop Project honors this legacy while breathing new life into it.

As the group prepares for their performance at Popejoy, they're also developing a brand-new show. "We're in the midst of planning an entirely new show that we hope to bring to Popejoy," Nolfi revealed. "It all organically kind of came together like that!"

The Doo Wop Project promises to uplift, entertain, and bring audiences of all ages together through the power of song. Whether you grew up with street-corner serenades or are discovering doo-wop for the first time, The Doo-Wop Project offers a musical experience filled with energy, heart, and timeless harmony.

The Doo Woo Project performs on May 11 at 3:00 pm. Tickets are on sale at popejoypresents.com.