Jazz Articles about Carla Cook

Carla Cook: Simply Natural

by C. Michael Bailey
October 2, 2002

A Third by Ms. Cook...

Carla Cook is the first singer on the MAXJAZZ roster to release three discs. Her previous two, It’s All About Love and Dem Bones both received considerable attention upon release. Here, Ms. Cook continues in fine form and under the direction of producer/pianist Bruce Barth. Cyrus Chestnut is again on hand to provide his well-developed support and ditto for the rhythm section of bassist Kenny David and Drummer Billy Kilson. Ms. Cook’s originals, the title ...

Carla Cook: Simply Natural

by Jim Santella
October 1, 2002

"Simply Natural." The song's title describes what Carla Cook is all about and what makes her such a thrilling vocalist. She's genuine. Both her scat singing and her lyric interpretations result in a relaxed atmosphere where everyone can sit back and enjoy being a part of it. Accompanists Bruce Barth and Cyrus Chestnut are in fine form. The program's song selection offers a wide variety that allows Cook's natural beauty to shine through. She's crossed generations by combining classics such ...

Carla Cook: Dem Bones

by Jim Santella
May 1, 2001

The title of Carla Cook's latest album refers to the trombone choir she's enlisted to blend with her silky smooth voice. Her natural ability makes this one work. Whether she's scat singing, crooning soft ballads, or spinning acrobatic vocalese, Cook is always on pitch and quite in control. Her expressiveness is what makes her performances special. Cook, who grew up in Detroit, has made the connection between jazz and similar art forms. She made her decision to become a jazz ...

Carla Cook: Just a Swingin' and a Groovin'

by Mathew Bahl
March 1, 2001

On the question of categories, Carla Cook will say this much: “I'm definitely a jazz singer in that I like to improvise and I like to swing." Beyond that, the subject doesn't interest her. “I don't spend a lot of time haggling with the word “jazz,?" she explains. “I let the “Jazz Police" handle that. I do music."Carla Cook has been doing music and doing it spectacularly well for a number of years. However, it was with the ...

Carla Cook: Dem Bones

by C. Michael Bailey
March 1, 2001

Carla Cook follows up her Grammy-nominated It's all About Love with a slightly funkier fair...but only after some mainstream flirtations.

Carla Cook's 1999 It's All About Love was one of the inaugural releases of the then fledgling MAXJAZZ label. It was honored with a Grammy® nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Performance. It was an eclectic and ingenious collection of tunes from all corners of the genre spectrum. This year's Dem Bones is no exception to the precedent she set with ...

Carla Cook: Dem Bones

by C. Michael Bailey
March 1, 2001

Carla Cook follows up her Grammy-nominated It's all About Love with a slightly funkier fair...but only after some mainstream flirtations.

Carla Cook's 1999 It's All About Love was one of the inaugural releases of the then fledgling MAXJAZZ label. It was honored with a Grammy® nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Performance. It was an eclectic and ingenious collection of tunes from all corners of the genre spectrum. This year's Dem Bones is no exception to the precedent she set with ...

Carla Cook: It

by C. Michael Bailey
October 1, 1999

Ditto...LaVerne Butler...And More. In the beginning, Richard McDonnell had a vision that became incarnate with LaVerne Butler’s Blues in the City 1. He saw that this was good and decided that Ms. Butler must have company 2. McDonnell, in his infinite and far-seeing wisdom, provided the Butler creation with mates, the first being Carla Cook’s It’s About Time 3.

In early 1999, MAXJAZZ kicked its new presence off with the very fine release of LaVerne Butler’s Blues in the City ...