Jazz vocalist Carla Cook is sensational. Her music touches your heart in a special way. I met her at the Monterey Jazz Festival and she is so cool and super nice. If you do not have her latest MAXJAZZ release, Simply Natural, run out get it along with Dem Bones and It's All About Love. Please welcome Carla to the j-notes Jazz Lounge.

j-notes.com: Your musical selections cover all genres of music. How would you describe your singing style?

Carla Cook: "I'd describe the style as jazz with the influences of all I've been exposed to during my lifetime. European, Classical, Religious, Classic R&B (particularly Motown since I grew up in Detroit during that era.")

j-notes.com: When did you know that you wanted to sing and if you were not singing, what would you be doing?

Carla Cook: "It's difficult to say. However, I enjoyed teaching Social Studies and more recently I've developed a passion for gardening. I think being a landscaper could have been in the cards!"

j-notes.com: How do select the gospel hymns that are included on your albums? Would you consider doing an album of jazz infused gospel hymns?

Carla Cook: "I try to include one "inspirational" song on each CD. The first,"Hold to God's Unchanging Hand" was chosen because it was a favorite of my late Mom's. "Come Ye Disconsolate" was one of my favorites as a child, and "Something 'Bout Believing" comes from Duke Ellington's Sacred Series and just seemed appropriate after 9/11. It's music for the world, and not just people of any one faith."

"As far as an album of jazz infused gospel hymns, I don't know. I'm not a pure gospel singer. Though I do know a lot of hymns, my repertoire is really filled more with spirituals and anthems. I grew up in the CME church, (Christian Methodist Episcopal). I will however, continue to include something inspirational on my recordings."

j-notes.com: Who would like to sing a duet with?

Carla Cook: "What a fun question! I'd like to sing a duet with lots of folks. Maybe Freddie Cole, Keb' Mo or Bonnie Raitt. I recently did a double bill with Lucky Peterson. We'd planned an informal duet, but time ran short and it didn't happen. But who knows?"

j-notes.com: When will you be going back into the studio?

Carla Cook: "I'd like to go back into the studio the early part of next year. Gathering ideas right now."

j-notes.com: Where would you like to see yourself in ten years?

Carla Cook: "I'm open about the kinds of musical experiences I'd like to accumulate. Certainly I'd like to still be recording music that I love, but also perhaps soundtracks, a few fun jingles. I don't know that I'd like to constantly be traveling though. That's kind of tough - I do want a "regular" home life. You know, husband, maybe children, and a dog."

j-notes.com: How well did you do with your gardening this year?

Carla Cook: "Glad you asked!! My garden was fantastic and unfortunately, the summer's about over. My flowers are beautiful and give me much joy. I've also got a bumper crop of grape tomatoes. The collards were eaten by something or other during a road trip. Also, I've got wonderful mint and have treated my guests to a special Mint Lemonade. You'll have to come out here and try it!!"

Thanks James!!

Thanks Carla and continued blessings to you!!!

Please read more about Carla, including her upcoming tour dates, on her MAXJAZZ homepage or her personal site, carlacook.com.

Posted by at 12:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Photo by Jimmy Katz

Jazz trumpeter Jeremy Pelt is blazing a trail with his hot new release, Close to My Heart on MAXJAZZ Records. The music industry is giving the album much well-deserved praise. It is a must have for your music collection. I had the opportunity to ask Jeremy a few questions about the new album and his music. Please welcome Jeremy Pelt to the j-notes Jazz Lounge.

j-notes: Your music has been classified from neo-bop to straight-ahead jazz. How would you describe your sound?

Jeremy Pelt: "Well, my sound comes out of the trumpeters that I admired the most (i.e.. Miles, Freddie, Booker Little, Lee Morgan, Chet Baker, etc.). At this point, I’m interested in finding ways to manipulate my sound as to reflect the nuances of the human voice."

j-notes: You have played in every setting from big bands to quartets? Which is your favorite band setting and why?

Jeremy Pelt: "When Bird and Diz, and Roy Eldridge and countless other musicians came up, they all came to prominence through the big band experience. I feel that big bands teach you a lot. After you’ve had enough of that experience, I believe it’s OK to start thinking more selfishly. And that’s where I’m at. I love playing in the “small group” setting because you have a greater sense of individuality. My previous bands have always been sextets and I still dig that, but with this new recording, I felt like something more personal. All of the greats have done a quartet recording, and I wanted to make my presence felt in that arena. Quartet makes you a stronger player."

j-notes: You have traveled extensively this year. Where has been your favorite place to play?

Jeremy Pelt: "I always LOVE London. Particularly, Ronnie Scott’s. Portugal was great, too."

j-notes: Will your upcoming tours feature a string section? Will you be coming to the Bay Area in the next year?

Jeremy Pelt: "The thing that I knew coming into this project was that there were certain realities that I’d have to deal with regarding touring with a group of this size and star power! First of all, though I have two past recordings and appear on over twenty others, I’m still not seen as a bandleader by a lot of promoters, booking agents, and club owners. It’s truly a frustrating process. My manager and I are working very diligently on making the transition. I’d love to do as many gigs and tours with the string section as possible, but at the end of the day, you still have to pay the band! As for coming to the Bay area, we’re working on coming there in April. You can always find out where I’ll be on my website, peltjazz.com."

j-notes: How do you select the music for your recordings?

Jeremy Pelt: "This recording was different in that my previous two CD’s (Profile, on Fresh Sound New Talent, and Insight, on Criss Cross rec.), feature original music. For this project, I wanted to do standards that weren’t your run-of-the-mill, often performed songs. So, I bought tons of music books from every composer and scanned through them. Also, I listened to a lot of vocalists (Frank Sinatra, Bill Henderson, Carmen McRae, Shirley Horn, are among my favorites) to find songs that were very personal to me. I should also say that, with the inclusion of Frank Loesser’s “In Your Eyes”, (a song that I don’t believe has ever been recorded!) I wanted to make the definitive version of this song. At the risk of sounding conceited, I think I did!"

j-notes: Are there any other types of music you would like to record?

Jeremy Pelt: "There are always ideas that I have popping in my head. My next record will be a definite departure from the current one."

j-notes: Would you consider scoring a film?

Jeremy Pelt: "I majored in film scoring at Berklee College of Music, so my answer is a resounding “YES”. I’m trying to get into that now. If any filmmakers out there are reading this, I’m your man!!!"

j-notes: What are your thoughts on your comparisons to trumpet great Clifford Brown?

Jeremy Pelt: "If you are a trumpeter doing a ballads record with strings, Clifford is going to pop in everyone’s head! I’m totally comfortable with the comparison. We parallel each other in that, we both REALLY wanted to do this project because of the love of these melodies. Not for reasons of mass appeal, or cashing in. Incidentally, no one ever mentions the great Donald Byrd w/strings album from 1956 (or ’57), that Clare Fisher arranged.. That album is GREAT!!"

j-notes: Who would you like to play with?

Jeremy Pelt: "I’d love to play with Hank Jones, Elvin Jones, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, and Shirley Horn."

j-notes: Would you do a tribute album to a great trumpet legend?

Jeremy Pelt: "No. I think those are played out. Do we really need another tribute to Miles, or Dizzy, or Bird album? Did Lee Morgan do a “tribute to Fats Navarro or Clifford Brown album”? I mean, if you want to write a tune I can understand that, but I think the greatest tribute that we can pay is to honor and add to the road that has already been paved for us by those that inspired and influenced us."

j-notes: What are the stylistic differences between playing the trumpet and flugelhorn?

Jeremy Pelt: "For me, I almost am always more expressive on the Flugelhorn because of the mellowness of the sound. You can manipulate the trumpet."

j-notes: If you were not an outstanding trumpeter, which profession would you pursue?

Jeremy Pelt: "I love Psychology."

j-notes: What's next for Jeremy?

Jeremy Pelt: "Just writing for my band, Creation. The instrumentation is: Trumpet, Bass Clarinet/Alto Sax, Bass, Guitar, Vibraphone, Drums…"

Thank you Jeremy and please keep the good music flowing! Read more about Jeremy on his personal website, peltjazz.com or his MAXJAZZ homepage.

Posted by at 7:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)