On August 2nd, 2007, Jazz vocalist Scot Albertson celebrated the success of his second CD, Fate Just Won't Wait, at the Laurie Beechman Theater, downstairs at the West Bank Cafe on 42nd Street. His musical director and pianist, Daryl Kojak, also wrote some of the fine arrangements.

The members of the Daryl Kojak Jazz Quintet were: "Sweet" Sue Terry on alto sax, Scott Wendholt on trumpet, Cameron Brown on bass and Tony Jefferson on drums. Additional arrangements were collaborations by Albertson and Broadway musical director Robert Felstein.

The crème-de-la-crème of cabaret society were out in force for Scot's act, which is a huge compliment to his talents. He played a long set, about an hour and a half, which included eight songs from the CD, and six or seven other tunes, while people enjoyed drinks and food in the spacious theatre.

The music was bright and lively, well-arranged, and diverse enough to hold the audience's attention throughout the evening. Trumpeter Wendholt and saxophonist Terry played some nice lines, and added most of the improvised elements to the set.

"Kiss Her Now," by Jerry Herman, was one of the best songs of the show.  Dark and mysterious, Kojak's expert piano fills, stretched out underneath Scot's emotional vocals.  An interesting note: several of the arrangements were medleys.  Scot combined "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" with "Love Walked In;" "Count Every Star" with "How Deep is the Ocean" (very expressive voice with piano chords keeping a simple beat), and "The Best is Yet to Come" with "From this Moment On," the latter of which had an exciting double-time swing.

On Loesser and Schwartz' "Love Isn't Born (It's Made)," Scot started singing ácapella, then set the tempo for the band to enter.  He has an amazingly broad range, great sense of dynamics and a pleasing vibrato.

Another highlight of the set was Coleman/Zippel's "With Every Breath I Take." On this beautiful ballad, Scot showed his control of the music with a strong depth of feeling.  Scott Wendholt seized the moment, played a very hip trumpet solo, and left the audience yelling for more.

As a pleasant surprise, Scot Albertson brought up Jerry Scott to accompany him at the piano on Eubie Blake's sentimental song, "Memories of You."  The crowd received him with a warm round of applause.

Altogether, I was very impressed with Scot Albertson. He was organized and appreciated the people who helped him to bring about this performance. As an example, he took a few minutes in the middle of the set to light, and then hand out, birthday cakes to at least 5 audience members!  Scot will be appearing once again at the same location with pianist Daryl Kojak on September 26, and readers would be wise to put that date in their calendar.