Moreno Fruzzetti likes to blend his old world and his new world with his music.
The singer was born in Pisa, Italy, but now calls New Jersey his home, and his concerts mix classic Italian tunes with English favorites often sung in Italian.
It's an act that regular visitors to the Warren Italian-American Heritage Festival should know well. Fruzzetti has made at least a half dozen appearances at the downtown festival since 1998, and he returns to headline the main stage on Saturday and Sunday.
''It's very nice audience,'' Fruzzetti said during a telephone interview from his home in New Jersey. ''They pay attention when I do a show to every song.''
''Not only do they come to see him in Warren, but they follow him when he's in the area,'' his wife, Jean, added. ''For some reason, Moreno has a very big following in Ohio.''
Moreno speaks English well, but his wife sits in on interviews, occasionally translating a question into Italian or embellishing on his answer.
After having a number one hit with ''Guarda'' in his homeland in the early '70s as part of the band I Rogers, Moreno moved to the United States in 1975. Over the years he has released 18 albums, the most recent being ''Romantico.'' In addition to some new material, it includes some songs he's recorded in the past with new arrangements.
Moreno said he looks for songs that suit his vocal style, but a good familiar melody is just as important. He sings the Procol Harum favorite ''Whiter Shade of Pale,'' but he sings it with Italian lyrics.''
''The people, they don't know the words, but they recognize the melody,'' he said.
His recent albums have included American hits like ''I Can't Stop Loving You'' and ''Only You.''
''Audiences love the Italian songs, but when he throws out some American songs like 'Unchained Melody,' they absolutely love it,'' Jean said. ''When he does 'My Way,' he opens it in French, goes to Italian and closes it in English. that always gets a nice reception.''