International Jazz Masters Series

Carla Cook 'Jazz Vocal Star & Detroit Diva'

PizzaExpress Jazz Club (Soho)

Grammy nominated Carla Cook has performed or recorded as a guest artist with such luminaries as the Count Basie Orchestra and Lionel Hampton. She originated the lead vocal role for Wynton Marsalis’ Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s The Cotton Club Parade at City Center. She 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. In her songbook you'll find elements of R&B, European classical, Motown, Blues and Gospel.

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£32.00
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“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 of The Washington Post

Book tickets for Carla Cook 'Jazz Vocal Star & Detroit Diva'

The list of great artists Cook has worked with includes among others Jimmy Heath, Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Steve Wilson, Regina Carter, Eric Reed, Don Byron, Craig Harris, Sekou Sundiata, Patrice Rushen, Savion Glover, Ben Vereen, Cyrus Chestnut, Carl Allen, Rodney Jones, Igor Butman, Wycliff Gordon, Bruce Barth and Terell Stafford. Her band The Carla Cook Quintet, has opened for Ron Carter, Wayne Shorter and B.B. King; her band has also performed at the invitation of Aretha Franklin for her annual Christmas Party.

Cook has performed or recorded as a guest artist with such luminaries as the Count Basie Orchestra and Lionel Hampton’s Big Band (she was the last of a long line of esteemed featured vocalists who performed with him before his death). She originated the lead vocal role for Wynton Marsalis’ Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s The Cotton Club Parade at City Center.  (The role was later performed with various vocalists for the Broadway production, renamed After Midnight).  And in 2011, she was the featured vocalist with the world – renowned Jazz Sinfonica, an 82-piece orchestra performing in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

She has received many favourable reviews and received a Grammy nomination in the Best Jazz Vocal Performance category, and was awarded the AFIM Indie Award for Best Jazz Vocal.

Band Line Up

Carla Cook (vocals)

Matyas Gayer (piano)

Mark Hodgson (bass)

Stephen Keogh (drums)