Two true collaborators celebrated two decades of making music when singer Laurie Krauz and Musical Director/ pianist Daryl Kojak looked back, reprising favorites of theirs and of their fans. The Metropolitan Room was filled with many of those fans and friends—and memories—for a one-night retrospective with perspective. It was a non-corny emotional celebration situation. Since both are in fine form, vigorously creative, still enjoying and respecting each other, the assumed future informed the evening, too. Laurie recalled their early click, even if neither can pinpoint exactly when the partnership began. Sounding earthy and gutsy, diving into jazz waters, she showed growth, more mastery as well as more discretion and audience connection compared to some earlier days. She was in the zone. Seated right near the piano, by choice, I had the privileged bird’s-eye-view of inventive, involved, and sometimes cerebral Daryl Kojak at the keyboard, fingers flying, caressing, gliding, or purposely doing none of the above, to allow silences and breathing room. Selections were varied: standards, pop and out-and-out jazz, including representation of their CD on the notorious (not mentioned) Jerome Records label. Naturally, a major highlight was revisiting the project close to their hearts, the oft-performed Bistro and MAC Award-winning show, Tapestry Rewoven, the take on Carole King’s best-selling and generation landmark Tapestry album. Laurie’s the chattily effervescent earth mother, self-confessed neurotic, but if the benevolently beaming Kojak had been cajoled into offering some anecdotes or thoughts, it would have provided the noticeably missing piece. Happy anniversary!

Rob Lester
Cabaret Scenes
September 16, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org