Celebrating the release of her debut CD, Here with You, Annie Kozuch (pronounced Ko-zuk) sashayed her way up to the stage at the Metropolitan Room in a shimmery gold accented frock that provided a welcome change from most cabaret ladies’ more basic black ensembles and, happily, it was all “glitter and be gay” from there on.

Simply put, there’s nothing not to like about the Mexican-born Kozuch and her selection of Spanish, Portuguese and American standards that she presented in a style that was at once sexy and engaging, breezy and effective. Looking like the younger sister of either Candice Bergen or Martha Stewart and with an exceptional group of jazz-flavored musicians—Frank Ponzio on piano, Saadi Zain on bass, Vito Lesczak and Cecilia Tenconi on sax and flute—she matched in vocal chops what the other two ladies have done acting in movies/on TV and cooking in the kitchen.

Her flawless accent is evident on the two familiar Antonio Carlos Jobim numbers: “Chega de Saudad” (“No More Blues”) and “Corcovado” (“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars”).  On “Carinhoso” (“Loving”), she updated the João Gilberto bossa nova version with a swinging tempo and a lighter touch and wisely provided a song translation sheet that further added to the enjoyment. “Somos Novios” with the Spanish lyric by Armando Manzanero, was a highlight, beautifully and passionately sung, reminding the listener that a beautiful melody can resonate in many different languages.

She made smart choices from the American Songbook as well. She sang Peggy Lee’s hit “I Love Being Here with You” and made it her own, and her readings of Bill Carey and Carl Fisher’s “You’ve Changed” and Fud Livingstone, Matty Malneck and Gus Kahn’s “I’m Through with Love,” which featured particularly fine solos from both Tenconi on sax and Ponzio on piano, respectively, were insightful and true to the songwriters’ intentions.

She has two more shows Nov. 4 and 11, both at 9:30pm. Catch her while you can.

Lynn DiMenna
Cabaret Scenes
October 28, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org