Chelsea Community Church Presents

A PIANO BAR CELEBRATION

…honoring Piano Bar legend Jerry Scott

Free & Open to the Public

Sunday, November 15, 1pm at St. Peter’s Chelsea

(346 W. 20th St. btw. 8th & 9th Aves.)

For more info, click here

BY SCOTT STIFFLER | Drawing its strength from the diverse backgrounds and traditions of its congregants, Chelsea Community Church has been a beacon for people of all faiths—and of uncertain faith—since its founding in 1975. The lay-led, non-denominal Christian congregation meets on Sundays at 1pm, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Chelsea.

Familiarly known as St. Peter’s Chelsea, the 1838-consecrated church (whose iconic bell tower was installed in 1888) sits on land donated by Clement Clarke Moore. His 1823-penned poem A Visit From St. Nicholas is known for, among other things, popularizing the notion of Santa’s jolly demeanor and giving his eight reindeer the names we’ve come to know them by. Each year, Clarke Moore’s poem is read by a New Yorker of note, at Chelsea Community Church’s annual Candlelight Carol Service—which takes place in, of all places… St. Peter’s Chelsea.

Why the history lesson, to begin an article whose headline promised cabaret (cabaret the genre, not Cabaret the movie)? Rest assured, we didn’t bury the lede. History is front and center come 1pm on Sunday, November 15, when Chelsea Community Church presents A Piano Bar Celebration: Honoring Piano Bar Legend Jerry Scott. 

If that name doesn’t ring a bell—or if the mere mention of Jerry Scott makes you wanna Ring Them Bells—let’s pull a Full Stop and take a moment to soak in some essential history about Jerry Scott, provided by the November 15 event’s promotional press release. The pithy primer is the work of Celebration organizer Scott Barbarino. No stranger to the NYC cabaret and piano bar scene, Barbarino has been the Artistic Director at Ellen’s Stardust Diner for the last 24 years, and is the publisher of NiteLifeExchange.com (“Where Broadway meets Cabaret”).

Barbarino told Chelsea Community News (CCNews), “Much of what I know today about performing and hosting a room I learned by watching Jerry Scott and I am a better person for knowing him. He built a lasting community.” As for the promised pithy primer prose, Barbarino puts it thusly: “For four decades—from the 1970s until his untimely death [of pancreatic cancer] in 2013—pianist-singer Jerry Scott brought extraordinary musical talent, exuberant showmanship, and an unmistakable spirit of welcoming to New York City’s piano bars, cabaret rooms, restaurants, and nightspots. He had a repertoire of more than 2,000 songs, from pop standards and Broadway show tunes to operetta and ragtime, and he made it all look completely effortless… But Jerry Scott’s legacy extends far beyond ‘the music of the night,’ and this is why he will be honored. Scott created a safe haven for many, where people could come together, express themselves freely, and find acceptance. Scott shone a spotlight on the opportunity to be different, to be authentic, and to be celebrated for exactly who you are. He made it clear that piano bars were not just places to hear a great song.”

As for the Who’s Who of where Jerry Scott established his presence, Barbarino notes he “performed at a range of A-list Manhattan venues such as the Regency Hotel, Nickel’s Steak House, The Painted Pony, East Five Three, Waverly/Waverly, Oh Johnny, Tatou, Rhapsody, Ruby Fruit, One Potato, Nino’s Tuscany, Catarina’s, Butler’s, Danny’s, Parnell’s, and many others. His artistry earned him 12 Manhattan Association of Cabarets (MAC) Awards, a Bistro Award, a Critics’ Choice Award and multiple Entertainer of the Year honors from various sources… Jerry Scott’s music lives on in the memories of those who heard him play—and beyond in the continuing tradition of piano bars.”

Noted Barbarino in his communications with CCNews. “Jerry and his husband, Gavin Traver, were members of Chelsea Community Church, so three years ago, during Pride Month, we held our first piano bar open mic in celebration of Jerry and his legacy.” That open mic tradition will be built upon come November 15. “The 1pm Celebration,” Barbarino assures, “will be followed by two hours of real piano bar singing accompanied on the beautiful Baldwin baby grand at St. Peter’s.”

Sidney Myer and Dan Daly—two NYC legends alive and well and still putting their stamp on the scene—will be in attendance, ensuring the event’s fabric is awash in hues of fabulous authenticity. Noted Barbarino of these special guests, “Sidney Myer, another national treasure of the piano bar and cabaret world, knew Jerry well. Dan Daly was also a friend whom Jerry mentored. Having Sidney and Dan join us as [respectively] a guest speaker and musician [Dan’s the man on the baby grand] is a natural extension of that history and a wonderful way to celebrate the tradition of the piano bar as a place of music, mentorship, fellowship, and acceptance.”

CCNew spoke with Myer and Daly about how Jerry Scott’s personal and artistic aspects helped usher in a tonal shift, as to the notion of what the cabaret/piano bar experience was capable of creating in the hearts and minds of its participants.

Sidney Myer has been the Booking Manager/Booking Director at legendary West 46th Street cabaret room-cum-piano bar Don’t Tell Mama since the late 1980s. Prior to that, he served the same role at Panache Cabaret for 7 1/2 years. “Well… always wanted to be ‘under the tent,’ ” recalled Myer, of his entry into the rarefied world of NYC cabaret. Modest Myer would not have to wait long to claim and retain his rightful place on the stage. Over the years, he’s earned widespread respect among his contemporaries, with critics and fellow cabaret artists stuck in “Swoon” mode. Myer’s next turn where the spotlight shines finds him at the well-curated venue Pangea, on December 1, 15, 17, and 19. More info here (and directly below).

Myer told us his familiarity with, and admiration of, Jerry Scott goes back 50 years. “It seems that Jerry was always there as long as I was on the scene,” said Myer. “His presence seated at the piano was always larger than life! He commanded the room, with a happy countenance, a great smile, impeccable grooming, and a welcome to everyone coming through the door! Coming into the room, you knew a party was underway!” 

Myer provided further context for the notion that Scott was a giant among his contemporaries, noting, “Steve Ross, dubbed “The Crown Prince of Cabaret” for decades, first came to New York in 1968 and saw Jerry Scott at The Candy Store—a gay club—and said Jerry was very different than a number of other very talented Piano Bar Players of the day—including Houston Allred and Charles DeForrest  (known as “The Prince of Darkness” for his dramatic, victim songs such as Free Again). While they could be caustic and political, Jerry, with his very warm manner, legit beautiful baritone, wonderful style, and amazing repertoire was a friend to all and radiated joy!”

The other special guest at November 15’s Celebration is Dan Daily, described by Barbarino as being “known for his musical talent, versatility, and ability to bring people together through song.” Daly is a Sunday night pianist at the legendary Marie’s Crisis Café, performs Mondays at The Monster, and makes regular summer appearances on Fire Island, where he has played at The Sandcastle in Cherry Grove for 26 seasons.

Recalled Daly of how he came to know Scott: “I had moved back to New York from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A friend of mine who knew me as a pianist and Fort Lauderdale took me around to the different piano bars and he introduced me to Jerry Scott. I just remember how gracious Jerry was to me, knowing that I was trying to break into the piano bar scene. Jerry started to come watch me play as well at places including Danny’s Skylight Room [in Manhattan] and different venues in Cherry Grove/Fire Island. He was very supportive. I had a great love and respect for Jerry.”

Asked to assess Scott’s particular contribution to NYC cabaret/piano bar culture, Daly noted, “I believe that all Pianists in cabaret follow a certain protocol—but then of course we all evolve from there. Jerry knew what to play to a general audience, and he also knew when to change direction in order to appeal to a specific crowd. That certainly was a special gift that he attained.”

Enuf said, for now. There will be more to hear about, and sing about, for those who pack the pews of St. Peter’s Chelsea (346 W. 20th St.) at 1pm on Sunday, November 15, when the before, during, and after of Jerry Scott is contemplated by Chelsea Community Church and friends. For more info, click here.

Note: This article is being published simultaneously on our sister website, LGBTQCommunityNews.nyc.

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Launched on April 23, 2019, ChelseaCommunityNews.com (CCNews) is an independent online newspaper serving Manhattan’s Chelsea community and adjacent areas (Flatiron/NoMad & Meatpacking Districts, Hudson Yards, Hell’s Kitchen). Our free editorial content is made possible by advertising revenue, grants, quarterly pledges of support, and voluntary reader donations (click here to donate). To subscribe to our free ENewsletter, click here. ChelseaCommunityNews.com is a member of the New York Press Association (NYPA) and the Empire State Local News Coalition. Our work is collected for placement in the United States Library of Congress’ LGBTQ+ Studies Web Archive. Honors at NYPA’s annual Better Newspaper Contest, 2021-2025, include 3 wins for Coverage of the Arts, and 2 wins for Best News or Feature Series.

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Questions? Comments? Email Founder/Editor Scott Stiffler at scott@chelseacommunitynews.com.