The Signal's Stephen K. Peeples -- B.K. Diaz Benefit Concert at the Londoner

More than 50 family, friends and fans jammed the venue, and contributed $532.00 to the American Red Cross Tsunami Relief Fund. It was the Diaz's third such fundraiser since December, and raised their total tsunami relief contribution to $1,202.

"I don't think we're unique in any way," said Diaz, who's also staged other local fundraising concerts in the past couple of years. "Whatever cause we raise money for, be it the City of Hope, the Red Cross or the Multiple Sclerosis Society, we constantly see other people trying to help with every means available to them. We're artists. This is what we can do. Whether the donations are seven figures or just three or four, every bit helps!"

Backed by his three-piece band — guitarist Mark Moulin of Frazier Park, bassist Ted Gonlag of Santa Clarita and drummer Mat Diaz (B.K.'s younger brother) of Simi Valley — Diaz performed original songs from his two solo albums, 2003's "b.k. Diaz" and "The Pursuit of Happiness" (set for release May 31 and featuring the advance single, "Magdalena"). The 17-song set also included heartfelt covers of "Homeward Bound" and "Shooting Star," classics by Simon & Garfunkle and Bad Company, respectively.

The concert was highlighted by guest artist Sara Niemietz, who sang lead on "Carry On," a song Diaz wrote especially for the 12-year-old singer and stage/TV/film actress. Niemietz, who recently completed shooting the movie "Akeelah and the Bee" starring Laurence Fishbourne and Angela Bassett, has also starred as a young Carol Burnette in the Broadway production of "Hollywood Arms" and appeared in episodes of "The Gilmore Girls," "First Monday" and the "Providence" TV series. (Visit hollywoodscam.com/saraniemietz/ for more info.)

Diaz also welcomed Millena from the Millena Dawn Band to the stage to sing lead on another of his originals, "Time Will Tell," a heartfelt ballad that earned an emotional response from the audience. For the show-closing "Talkin' Blues," from the "b.k. Diaz" collection, harmonica player Tim May joined the band onstage to blow a wicked solo.

Among those cheering the performers on were Glenn Jordon (TV music producer, guitarist for Sha-Na-Na); Brie Larson (Disney teen vocalist with a solo CD out on Casablanca/Universal Records); Tommi Diaz (of Navarre Records; also wife of Mat Diaz); Greg Hughson (from the classic rock band Catch-22); and Tang Nguyen (a guest star on the "American Dreams" TV series).

Born in Brooklyn and raised on Long Island, B.K. Diaz earned his degree in Music from the University of New York at Stony Brook. He's toured the world as keyboardist and backing vocalist with classic and modern rock luminaries like Gary Richrath (REO Speedwagon), hard rockers White Lion and classic rockers Iron Butterfly.

Diaz' eponymous debut solo album, released on the GemStar label in 2003, spawned two adult-contemporary hits in "Save Me" and "Alexa Marie." His wife Debbi, longtime performer on Dick Clark's "Dancin' Machine" with numerous other TV, stage and recording credits, sang backing vocals on both his albums.

The Red Cross benefit concert at the Londoner also gave Diaz a chance to road-test some of the new songs from his forthcoming "The Pursuit of Happiness" follow-up CD, which like his debut is available at towerrecords.com, amazon.com and other music retail outlets.

In addition to the three Red Cross benefits, B.K. and Debbi Diaz have also staged recent fund-raisers for the City of Hope and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. "We did the M.S. Walk last April and raised around $800," she said. "I was also diagnosed with MS last year, but I'm doing great."

The Diazes were moved to help tsunami victims after seeing the devastation on television. "Our hearts went out to them," she said. "When you have a lot of blessings in your life, it feels really good to help another human being, no matter where they are." Diaz added she and her husband will continue to aid tsunami victims with future fund-raising shows, to be scheduled soon.

"People go to the movies or concerts or to see a comedian because they want to feel good," B.K. Diaz said. "They get a chance to escape into a song or a joke or a movie, but feel twice as good when they know the proceeds will go to help someone less fortunate. For an artist, his escape is in the performance. When that benefits someone else who needs it more, it gives the artist a greater sense of purpose."