Carla Cook at PizzaExpress Jazz Club Soho

Carla Cook, Grammy nominated in the Best Jazz Vocal Performance category, is a daring jazz singer/songwriter who sings standards beautifully, but she doesn't stop there. She is willing to put a jazz spin on songs not written by traditional jazz composers - songs that, until you hear her sing them, you'd never imagine could be interpreted as jazz. A native Detroiter, she grew up in a musically rich and diverse environment, and brings all her influences to bear within her repertoire. In her songbook you'll find elements of R&B, European classical, Motown, Blues and Gospel. She has received many favorable reviews and was awarded the AFIM Indie Award for Best Jazz Vocal. ...

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Carla Cook, Grammy nominated in the Best Jazz Vocal Performance category, is a daring jazz singer/songwriter who sings standards beautifully, but she doesn't stop there. She is willing to put a jazz spin on songs not written by traditional jazz composers - songs that, until you hear her sing them, you'd never imagine could be interpreted as jazz. A native Detroiter, she grew up in a musically rich and diverse environment, and brings all her influences to bear within her repertoire. In her songbook you'll find elements of R&B, European classical, Motown, Blues and Gospel. She has received many favorable reviews and was awarded the AFIM Indie Award for Best Jazz Vocal.

"She has sass that enlivens her impeccable diction, and tremendous soul that lets her swagger with gutbucket finesse, but it's all buttressed with sparkling optimism and innocence." John Murph, The Washington Post

Carla Cook (voice)
Barry Green (piano)
David Whitford (bass)
Stephen Keogh (drums)

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Cook has recorded several CD’s for the MAXJAZZ label during the last 14 years and her albums continue to receive critical acclaim. She refuses to become a jazz purist or snob and has a willingness to simply sing what she loves, bringing an earthy sophistication to every song, which is what gives her such a unique style.

In a larger sense, the great company she keeps also includes the pantheon of great women singers who've always thought of themselves as members of the band. When the smart trombone section moves in, we are reminded of what this album is all about: namely, a singer resting comfortably in the arms of her bandmates, who blow all around her, supporting her as she offers a unique and inimitable voice.?

"She isn't a dewy blond or a post adolescent waif, so Carla Cook would seem to be facing a rocky path across the current jazz terrain. But she can sing, really sing." Cook can Cook!" ?Daniel Okrent, TIME Magazine

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