
Carla Cooke is a gifted vocalist and storyteller dedicated to preserving and celebrating the legacy of her father the Legendary Sam Cooke—one of the most influential voices in music. Through her powerful tribute performances, “The Sam Cooke Experience “, Carla brings new life to her Father’s timeless songs, blending deep respect for the originals with her own heartfelt interpretation.
Through her performances, Carla shares both the music and the memories, offering audiences an intimate glimpse into Sam Cooke’s life, spirit, and creative genius. Her tribute is more than a performance—it is a living continuation of Sam Cooke’s enduring influence on soul, gospel, and popular music.
With grace, passion, and respect, Carla Cooke ensures that Sam Cooke’s legacy continues to inspire new generations.
Having her Father, her God Father, Sir Mac Rice, writer of “Cheaper to Keep Her” and “Mustang Sally” and her Uncle Recording Artist LC Cooke as inspirations, motivates the journey she is on as an Artist.
Much like her father, Carla’s style is diverse in Gospel, Christian, R&B, Soul, Pop and the contemporary sound that embraces today’s culture. With a strong vocal range and warm personality, Carla’s stage presence commands the environment wherever she performs.
Carla has traveled across the country keeping her father’s extraordinary legacy alive through her heartfelt tribute show, featuring beautiful renditions of his timeless hits including “A Change Is Gonna Come,” “You Send Me,” “Cupid,” and many more. Her performance makes audiences feel as though Sam Cooke himself were still in the room, stirring the soul and lifting the spirit. From the very first note, you are captivated as her angelic voice radiates through the microphone, filling the space with powerful memories of music that has truly stood the test of time.
For your delight, You can request a personal message and song from Carla, the daughter of Sam Cooke, for a friend or loved one for any event.
You can find her on the online Celebrity platform Cameo.com.
Simply visit the site, type in her name, and submit your request with what you would like her to say or sing for your occasion.
It’s a beautiful and meaningful way to celebrate someone special in your life.
On her musical journey. Carla recorded two duets on the late Legendary Blues Artist Joe Louis Walker’s compilation “Blues Comin On”. He had this to say about Carla as an artist during his interview with Union Leader Newspaper: “I think if there was a star of this record that really makes this whole thing work, it’s Carla Cooke as well as Waddy. I very rarely say this but for the life of me, I can’t figure out why Carla Cooke is not a household name in the way that Natalie Cole is. She is extremely talented, and she has a voice that, once you hear it, you never forget it,”
Carla has performed on Broadway bringing the music of her Father to “ The Town Hall”. Carla has had the pleasure of performing her show on “The Soul Train Cruise with headliner “Baby Face” and the distinguished honor of performing on a show at Bergen PAC with her father’s friend “ Little Anthony”.
Shreveport, LA Mayor Perkins presented Carla with the “Key to the City” in honor of her father who encountered racism in the city. The same weekend Carla was given “The R&B Legacy Award” from the Montford Pointe Marines at their Annual Ceremony.
It was an honor for Carla to be chosen to sing “Walk on By” as a tribute to Dionne Warwick at the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The following year at the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame Ceremony, Carla sang a duet with Gerald Alston of “The Manhattans”. Billboard stated, “The ceremony’s show-stopping moment was a duet on Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Austin and Cooke’s daughter Carla Cooke”.
David Friscic of the D. C. Metro Arts Theater Magazine had this to say about Carla’s musical talent after her performance of “I will Always Love You” at Bethesda Blues and Jazz Super Club in Bethesda Maryland; “Ms. Cooke very daringly sang the entire song a capella, with a purity of tone and a nuanced vocal power that (as actress Lily Tomlin would say) gave me “the goose bump experience”. Chills went up and down my spine and the whole audience stood up cheering and applauding. This was one of the moments when the performer transcended some very adequate lyrics to take the song to a much deeper and higher level by virtue of her sheer vocal artistry”.
Carla Cooke proves that the apple does not fall far from the tree as she gives the listener the raw talent, emotion, beauty and charisma that has her carrying Sam Cooke’s torch musically into the new millennium.
Don’t miss the journey Carla Cooke will take you on with her performances as she creates an atmosphere of pure joy and a time to remember.
Click on the tab in the upper left hand corner to Explore the pages of Carla Cooke and see her Tour Schedule.
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