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Carla Cook: In her own words

From: David Schulman
Length: 00:04:27

The Grammy-nominated vocalist talks about finding a place in jazz for funk, gospel, and pure joy. Read the full description.
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Piece Description

Carla Cook is known as a jazz singer. But she pushes the boundaries of jazz at times. She grew up in Detroit playing the double bass and listening to all kinds of music. When she sings, you can hear the flavors of Motown, gospel, and funk. Sometimes there's even a splash of opera in her voice. In this piece, Cook describes the joy of improvising over a tight rhythm section, talks about what she takes from James Brown, and tells the story of a gospel song she sings in memory of her mother. As in all the pieces in David Schulman's CPB-supported Musicians in their own words series, the story is told through a mix of the performer's voice and music. There is no reporter's voice heard, allowing the feature to be smoothly incorporated into station news, talk, or music programming. A script is attached, and may be edited at will. Cook's tour schedule includes these dates: Oct 1,Richard Stockton College of Performing Arts, Atlantic City, NJ Oct 16, New Orleans Louisiana Nov 6, Parlor Jazz, Brooklyn, NY This piece originially aired on KUOW, Seattle.

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Review of Carla Cook: In her own words

immediately grabbed me. Nice duet of the artist's thoughts and her singing - keeps you present, waiting for more. Remarkably meaningful content in a short span - without getting too heavy or glossing over. Can't speak for the whole series but if they are all as full of talent and articulate as this - it's a prize. This should be an endless series - excellent respite for ANY of the mainstream news shows or music programming.
vm

Transcript

Keywords: Carla Cook, jazz, gospel, funk, "Watermelon Man," Detroit, vocalist, Musicians in their own words, WUNC, David Schulman
Read the full transcript

Timing and Cues

Piece Title:
Carla Cook: In her own words

Piece Length:
5:00 (4:24 tape time + script)
TAPE IN: "This music for me is not all serious ..."
TAPE OUT: (ends with music). Last spoken words: "... everyone can hold onto God's unchanging hand"

[TAPE DURATION: 4:03 +:21 music tail]

Musical Works

All excerpts performed by Carla Cook:

"Watermelon Man," by Herbie Hancock, from Simply Natural, MAXJAZZ, 2003, approx 1:45

"Still Gotta Thing For You," by Carla Cook, from Simply Natural, MAXJAZZ, 2003, approx 1:00

"Hold on to God's Unchanging Hand," traditional, from It's all about Love, MAXJAZZ, 1999, approx 1:45

Additional Files

Related Website

http://www.prx.org/series/475