Carla Cook Proves She Can Fluidly Shift Musical Styles

The nomination of singer Carla Cook’s 1999 album for a Grammy in the jazz vocal performance category came as a surprise to the many who were unfamiliar with the Detroit-born artist. Her performance Tuesday night at the Cinegrill in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, however, quickly revealed that she was a worthy candidate for the honor.

Working with a sterling rhythm section--pianist-keyboardist Nick Smith, bassist Kenny Davis and drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith--Cook presented an attractive program of material from the Grammy-nominated “It’s All About Love” as well as her latest album, “Dem Bones”. Endowed with a warm-toned voice and an exceptionally fluid range, Cook delivered her songs with seemingly effortless ease.

Despite her identification with jazz, she roved freely through a variety of styles with impressive authenticity. Duke Ellington’s jaunty “Just A-Sittin’ and A-Rockin’ ” was followed by a subtly insinuating rendering of Bobby Gentry’s classic pop ballad “Ode To Billy Joe.” A soaring, reverential version of the spiritual “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand” led to Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues,” sung with the sort of solid rhythmic foundation that immediately recalled Cook’s Detroit roots.

Although she interacted well with her accompanists, there were a few tentative moments, always a hazard when out-of-town artists perform with local players; better musical integration will undoubtedly take place before the week is out.

But Cook also needs to relax a bit more onstage and allow some compatible interaction with her audience to take place as well. There was no denying the high quality of her vocal skills, but if there was any further message in her opening set, it was that those skills would be more effective in the give and take of a communicative performance environment.

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* Carla Cook at the Cinegrill in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd, tonight at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 8 and 10:30 p.m. $15 cover, two drink minimum. (323) 466-7000.