1 - Jim Caruso: Broadway to Birdland Series – Birdland

Jim Caruso's savvy concept has turned into the weekly tour de force event presenting some of today's leading performer's from the Great White Way. The impressive list of guys and dolls singing show tunes, jazz, pop and all points in between is like no other happening in Manhattan and has evolved into an integral part of New York nightlife – like his wildly popular weekly Cast Party which follows after the show. This talk of the town carnival of talent allows rabid fans to cheer on their favorites up close and personal like: Nancy Anderson, Darius de Haas, Christine Ebersole, Melissa Errico, Sam Harris, Linda Lavin, Christine Pedi and a truckload of other major talents at this legendary jazz club on West 44th.

2 - Tony DeSare – “Last First Kiss” - The Oak Room at The Algonquin

With his new album on Telarc hitting the Billboard Jazz charts with a bullet, this multi-talented singer/pianist proved that, like Feinsten and Connick (who also got their first major recognition at the Oak Room,) he is a breath of fresh air. This show enabled him to fully show off his incredible musicianship at the piano and heartfelt interpretations of standards and innovative originals in this breakthrough show.

3 - Baby Jane Dexter – “You're Following Me!” – Metropolitan Room at Gotham

In what many critics have called her best show to date, this powerful and entertaining hour ranks up there with the best you'll ever see in a cabaret setting. From raucous laughter to tears (like Bette Midler,) Dexter bravely takes the listener on a musical journey that is haunting, exhilarating and particularly serendipitous. It was nothing less than a master class in simple honesty and raw emotion from a beloved cabaret star.

4 -Darius de Haas – “Wonder: The Songs of Stevie Wonder” - Birdland

Hands down one of the best shows offered in the 2007 canon of shows in a night club venue. With his red hot 9-piece band and two back-up singers, this big show, which made its initial bow at the American Songbook Series at Lincoln Center in 2006, tore the roof off Birdland in a way like no other last year. De Haas can do no wrong on stage. His great voice, intelligence and charisma sailed through complex arrangements with ease. Hopefully, this show will be recorded and return for a longer run.

5 - Tammy Grimes – “Miss Tammy Grimes” – Metropolitan Room at Gotham

Bringing a lifetime of musical theater and night club memories to the stage with her, this Broadway legend's show was a must-see and proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that she “ain't down yet.” This Theater Hall of Famer and two time Tony Award winner brought a rich history to the cabaret stage that also included songs by Noel Coward, Tom Waits and Kurt Weill and provided one of cabaret's stellar moments in 2007.

6 - Hilary Kole - Birdland

This Manhattan beauty who stands out from the crowd with her swinging, jazz-tinged vocals proved she can also be versatile. Sitting at the piano crooning one of her original ballads, she recalls others who have made their mark through sheer talent and individuality. She makes every song her own and is destined for wider recognition.

7 - Marilyn Maye – Metropolitan Room at Gotham

All three of her sold out runs at Metropolitan Room were a cause to celebrate. This spunky septuagenarian proved there is life after 70. In song and playful banter with the audience, those lucky enough to get a seat were treated to an hour of incomparable entertaining that recalled greats from the past – including the star herself whom Johnny Carson had return to his show 75 times!

8 - Gregory Purhagen – “Babalu-CY” – Metropolitan Room at Gotham

Offering a highly polished and poignantly fun look at Lucy's other half Desi Arnaz, Pernhagen and his 7-piece Latin band, replete with bongos and banjos, instantly recalled the dazzling night clubs of Cuba and America in the 1950's as presented in this classy, dynamite show worthy of the fabled Copacabana in its hey-day.

9 - Poor Baby Bree (Bree Benton) – Don't Tell Mama

New on the cabaret scene this year, Bree Benton caught a lot of cabaret folks off guard with this compellingly intelligent, moody and unique cabaret/theater piece. Filled with humorous and trenchant takes on blatantly obscure songs from the early 20th century, “Poor Baby Bree” is one of those unforgettable shows that ranks up there with some of the finest characterizations to emerge from cabaret by a talented actress who is a fusion of great film and theater ladies from the past. All told through the eyes of a rag doll.

10 - Will Trice – The Duplex

A beautiful legit tenor voice to be reckoned with, Will Trice's quirky take on cabaret makes him an original in his solo shows and even included a later-in-the-year entry with his sister offering a gay parody of Fred and Adele Astaire loosely based on the 1951 MGM film, “Royal Wedding.” This clever guy's got a joie de vrie that's infectious, a rabid fan base and we're gonna hear more from him in cabaret (if Broadway doesn't snag him fast.)