Jerry Scott: Remembrances of a Vintage Piano Bar Maestro

Pennsylvania-born Jerry Scott’s career spanned over four decades. He possessed an astounding repertoire that exceeded 2,000 to 2,500 songs over genres including show tunes, standards, pop operetta and ragtime.

His style was free-wheeling, his banter spirited. His gigs were at now classic spots: The Regency Hotel, Tatou, Nino’s Tuscany, Waverly Waverly and Danny’s Skylight Room, among many others. Scott earned 12 MAC Awards, a Bistro Award, a Critic’s Choice Award, and multiple Entertainer of the Year honors. Jerry Scott passed away from cancer on April 4, 2013, at age 67.

Annie Ross: remember her name. She was truly legendary—and her contribution to vocal jazz lives on today.

Always a first-call singer, she teamed up with two other giants in 1957 to form the trio, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross—and vocalese was born.

The likes of Manhattan transfer and beyond owe it all to Annie. She was singing till the end, finding a home in the now shuttered Metropolitan Room. Ross died days before turning 90, in July 2020. Here’s one of her signature songs:

Fulfilling a promise made 40 years ago, Gary Olsen is keeping Laurie Beechman’s magic alive for a whole new generation. Laurie is a once-in-a-lifetime performer who lit up any stage – from the small clubs of the early 70s in NY to legendary Cabaret runs, from the Broadway stage to the Global stage, Laurie would take her audience on an unforgettable journey with every note she sang. Come spend some time with an old friend.

Ellen’s Stardust Diner’s Artistic Director – Scott Barbarino introduces a special performance by Can Yasar at The Miss Subway Reunion this last week. We support all the artists who immigrate here to our great city! Lest we forget our invite ….

“Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”

Partnering with SageUSA, Ellen’s Stardust Diner celebrates Pride 2026 in the Stardust Theatre.

Sidney Myer! Cabaret icon, song stylist, and keeper of New York’s cabaret soul—the beloved performer whose wit, warmth, and singular charm delighted audiences for decades.

Enjoy this touching tribute featuring clips of Sidney in performance and a slideshow of photos celebrating his remarkable life and career.

As a fitting continuation of this celebration of his legacy, the video also spotlights To Sid, With Love, a special tribute concert at Don’t Tell Mama on June 21 at 3:00 PM, where a few singers will join together to sing “thank you” to Don’t Tell Mama’s longtime booking manager.

Betty Buckley! Originator of the Jellicle cat, Grizabella in 1982’s Cats on Broadway—the cat who sings “Memory” as she
ascends to the Heavyside Layer.

Miss Buckley has been appearing at Joe’s Pub with a new collection of Story Songs (April 24-26)… and there’s a new Grizabella, Chasity Moore, in the huge Broadway hit, CATS: The Jellicle Ball.

To salute them both, here’s Grizabella’s star-turn hit “Memory” as performed by Nicole Calkins at Ellen’s Stardust Diner. All hail Betty Buckley, Grizabella and memories!

“It was truly wonderful seeing so many MAC faces at Joe’s Pub on Sunday night, for “Comme Une Folle: torch songs for tough times because gay!” Thank you very much for being there!!”

Kim David Smith

Kim David Smith’s and Tracy Stark’s version of Kurt Weill’s venomous “Pirate Jenny”(performed with their fabulous band: Skip Ward, Matt Podd, and David Silliman), for the curious who couldn’t be there on the night.

The next big show is “A Wery Weimar Christmas” at Club Cumming, Sunday, December 14