Twenty years ago this month, the cabaret world lost one of its most beloved artists, when Nancy LaMott succumbed to cancer at age 42. To mark the anniversary, Erin Cross offered a stunning tribute concert at the Metropolitan Room on November 28, a concert, fittingly enough, which was a fundraiser for Pediatric Cancer Research at St. Jude’s Hospital. Nancy LaMott’s artistry was notable for its unaffected simplicity, sweet tone, and direct message. In this era of exaggerated personal style and overblown theatrics, there are just a handful of singers, if that many, who could do justice to her memory by offering performances of their own. Erin Cross is certainly among that small and elite number. Her warm, lustrous voice is distinguished by its impressive range of expressive dynamics: velvety soft tones grow from an intimate whisper into full-throated clarion phrases that shake the rafters. In addition, Cross possesses the gifts of an elegant stage presence, lovely appearance, and personable manner. The full spectrum of LaMott’s repertoire was offered in the program, from standards by Irving Berlin, Kurt Weill, and Richard Rogers, to songs written, especially with her talents in mind, by her close collaborator and recording producer David Friedman. I was particularly touched by the poignant “Christmas Song” and swept away by the rhapsodic “Listen to My Heart,” La Mott’s song. Cross, her Music Director MAC Award-Winner Tracy Stark, and percussionist Matt Carlozzi made a formidable musical triumvirate. The virtuoso playing of Stark at the keyboard delivered rippling cascades of sound for which Carlozzi’s energetic and sensitive beats were the superb counterpoint. Lighting and sound design by the Metropolitan Room’s resident designer Jean-Pierre Perreaux were first-rate, and the ambience of the Metropolitan Room is as elegant as it is comfortable. The whole, in combination with Cross’ richly textured vocals, was a superb tapestry of sight and sound. Cross, Stark, and Carlozzi always succeeded in touching the heart and stimulating the imagination with new and thoroughly engaging arrangements of music that we all love, while remaining true to the spirit of Nancy LaMott. New Yorkers have a reputation for moving at lightning speed and are accused of having very short memories. Thought-provoking performances such as this one are to be more carefully savored, and go a long way to reversing cultural amnesia. Cross has indicated that she will be offering a number of cabaret performances of other repertoire during the 2015-16 season. This program is too fine to disappear after only one performance, and I am hoping for an encore! Whatever Erin Cross does, however, I highly recommend you attend her next. She is an artist on the rise.