BWW Reviews: For This Cabaret Performer (and Dozens of Others), the First Annual Tribute to New York Piano Bar Legend Jerry Scott is Poignant AND Personal

It was a bitterly cold February night when my partner and I happened to wander into the Stonewall Bistro in the West Village in search of a little warmth, a glass of bubbly, and a song of good cheer. Seated at the baby grand was a distinguished looking gentleman wearing a huge smile and an impressively sparkly sequined vest. During his break, he made the rounds of all the tables, offering a warm "hello" to all the patrons. When he reached our table, he asked if either of us sang. Despite my protestations (I hadn't sung in more than 20 years), my partner immediately offered up my services and before I knew it I was singing the only song I could remember from my old Broadway audition days-Irving Berlin's "They Say It's Wonderful." At the piano as my accompanist was the incomparable, Jerry Scott.

Over the next two years I would work weekly on material with Jerry at his Upper East Side apartment. I remember him standing at the top of the stairs, his friendly, booming voice ever encouraging me upward as I climbed that steep and narrow winding stairway to his second floor flat. How very Chorus Line I remember thinking. Inevitably, I would become a Jerry Scott groupie, and would faithfully follow him on Saturday nights to the restaurants he performed in like Danny's Starlight Room, Nino's Tuscany, that fantastic brunch at Ruby Fruit, Butler's, and, of course, Catarina's. His Halloween costume parties, Christmas caroling soirees, St. Patrick's Day drink-a-thon, and Independence Day celebrations were "events" in the realm of the New York piano bar entertainment world. Through Jerry's tutelage, I learned how to believe in and laugh at myself, how to trust my instincts, how to play a room, and how to command focus, because let's face it, if you can hush a crowded room of party revelers in a piano bar at 1 am, then you know you've been taught by a Master, and Jerry Scott was just that--a Master entertainer.

My story, by the way, is not unique. It is the story of every singer (young and old) who ever had the pleasure and privilege of working with Jerry Scott. Over his long and impressive 40-year career, Jerry so revered the Great American Songbook that he had in his repertoire more than 2,500 songs (a classic example in the video), and could easily transpose on the spot for any singer. He was honored by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC) with 12 MAC Awards for excellence in piano bar entertainment, a Bistro Award from Back Stage, a Critic's Choice Award, and was twice named "Entertainer of the Year" for excellence in piano bar performing from various local entertainment venues. He once performed at a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton, and was invited to perform two weeks later at the White House for President Bill Clinton.

So it was more than fitting that the New York cabaret community should honor such a man, and it did last Saturday night at Parnell's--the last piano bar that Jerry played before he died in April, 2013 at 67. To honor Jerry's memory and his lifetime of achievements, three devoted friends, cabaret reviewer John Hoglund, Allan Armour, and Geri Malino produced The First Annual Jerry Scott Memorial Award Show. This yearly event will not only pay tribute to Jerry's extraordinary talent, but the award will be presented to an exceptional entertainer/performer in the Manhattan Piano Bar/Lounge/Restaurant scene. The first recipient of the aptly named "Bronze Piano" was Bobby Peaco, a well-respected member of the New York cabaret community for more than 20 years. Peaco has garnered nine MAC Awards and six Backstage Bistro Awards for his work in the piano bars. He has been the accompanist-of-choice for such esteemed cabaret artists as the late, great Julie Wilson, as well as Broadway performers Terri White, Jackie Hoffman, and cabaret star Kristine Zbornik. He's also an accomplished composer and writer, and has been a featured performer in two highly acclaimed cabaret pieces, Erik and the Snow Maidens and Indigo Rat. At Saturday's event, John Hoglund offered a very touching, heartfelt speech about Jerry, and then finished by presenting the "Bronze Piano" award to a surprised Peaco (left in photo with Hoglund below) as the crowd burst forth in spontaneous applause.

With Peaco on the piano, Jerry's longtime friend Michael Beau started the entertainment off just right with the classic Scott arrangement of "Pure Imagination/Never, Never Land," a number that he performed countless times with Jerry. Each performer who followed stepped to the mic dressed the way Jerry might have--in sequined vests and/or big rhinestone broaches-and paid their loving tribute by singing the first song they ever sang with Jerry at the piano. Highlights included a rousing sing-a-long of Peter Allen's "Everything Old Is New Again" led by Peaco, who then tore up the keyboard with "All That Jazz." Tenor Jonathan Long sang "O Sole Mio", soprano Janine Ullyette offered "All The Things You Are," Tina Lindsey sat at the keys to riff out a tune or two performing "Diana" and "Desperado," always a house favorite, Helen Klass (88 years young), sang a wonderfully funny "What's A Dame Like You Doin' In a Dump Like This?," Richard DeMarinis brought his clarinet along to play a sweet, lush, and low "Honey Suckle Rose," Johnny Dell stepped up to dazzle all with his keyboard playing, John Luke of WPAT-FM sang "These Foolish Things," and special guest star Marcus Simeone brought down the house with "Someone To Watch Over Me."

But it was Peaco leading the room on "I'll Be Seeing You" that proved to be the most poignant moment of the evening as it recalled another time and another place--like The Five Oaks on Grove Street in the 1980s--and all those nightlife haunts that gave so much joy to so many people. Then and forever, being at a piano bar with Jerry Scott at the keyboard was the place to be on a Saturday night.

One of Jerry's favorite quotes and lifetime creed was one we would all do well to live by:

"Time is not measured by the years that you live,
But by the deeds that you do, and the joy that you give."

To further celebrate Jerry Scott's legacy, Parnell's Pub & Irish Restaurant at 350 West 53rd Street (corner of 1st Avenue) is bringing back live music on Wednesday nights, as well as the current Saturday Night's with Bobby Peaco. For reservations and/or information please call the restaurant at (212) 753-1761.

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