Carla Cook: Dem Bones

On Fred Wesley's "For the Elders," Cook fills the role of fourth chair trombone. Her wordless vocals match the trombone trio that well. With ballads such as "Like a Lover" and "Someone to Light Up My Life," she's at the top of her form. But it's snappy scat singing that reveals itself as Cook's greatest strength. Near the finish of "Better than Anything," for example, she moves into a trumpet-like scat vocal that says it all better than words can.

Carla Cook's eclectic program choices reflect her varied background. A degree in Speech Communication and formal training in voice, bass and piano must surely have helped hone her natural skills. Like most singers, exposure to many music forms has made her comfortable with it all. Finding "Ode to Billie Joe" and "Come, Ye Disconsolate" on her jazz album may come as a surprise, but it fits well. Cyrus Chestnut, James Genus and Billy Kilson provide a superb team spirit. More than just a superb follow-up to her It's All About Love debut, Dem Bones reminds us of power that jazz has in its capacity for creating bridges to most other art forms.