Bria Skonberg
PROJECTS:
New York based and Canadian born singer, trumpeter, and songwriter Bria Skonberg has been described as one of the “most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation” (Wall Street Journal). Bria has stormed onto the jazz scene with her smoky vocals, blistering trumpet, and compelling compositions and arrangements. The Juno Award winner has sung the music of Aretha Franklin alongside Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, played with U2 at the iconic Apollo Theater, sat in with the Dave Matthews Band, was a featured guest with Jon Batiste, performed as part of The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour, and sang the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden for a NY Rangers game.
The past few years have brought major life changes to everyone. In Bria Skonberg's case, in addition to the challenges of surviving as a professional musician during the pandemic, she experienced the joy of parenthood for the first time, two life-altering events that have together inspired her to feel a renewed sense of freedom in music making. Bria’s 2024 release, What It Means forges a way forward, in particular by returning to what inspired her in the first place: the sounds of New Orleans jazz. Recorded at Esplanade Studios during Mardi Gras of 2023, Bria is joined by an ensemble of established veterans and up and coming talent, including master Crescent City drummer Herlin Riley. This collection tells stories of life lessons that range from upbeat to down-to-earth to emotionally deep, all the while exhibiting both her mastery of the trumpet and her soulful and undeniably connective voice. Traditional jazz excursions such as "Petit Fleur" and "Elbow Bump;" a hard bop take on the Sonny & Cher hit "The Beat Goes On;" a duet with NOLA notable Gabrielle Cavassa on Van Morrison's "Days Like This;" a heartfelt dedication to her new child, John Lennon's "Beautiful Boy;" these and so many other tracks show how with her seventh studio album, Bria has solidified her artistry, mastering her signature style as one of the most distinctive artists in jazz.
JINGLE BELL SWING
In a brand new program, Juno Award winning trumpeter and singer Bria Skonberg brings her own take on seasonal favorites to stages this December, including her hit cover of "All I Want For Christmas is You."
SYMPHONY: SINGIN’ THE BLUES FROM BILLIE HOLIDAY TO BOB DYLAN
From Billie Holiday to Bob Dylan, rising star vocalist and trumpeter Bria Skonberg puts her spin on classic American music rooted in the blues tradition. Bria stormed onto the jazz scene with her smoky vocals, blistering trumpet, and compelling compositions and arrangements. With a voice compared to Anita O’Day and trumpet chops reminiscent of Louis Armstrong, New York-based Bria has been described as one of the “most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation” (Wall Street Journal). The Juno Award winner has sung the music of Aretha Franklin alongside Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, played with U2 at the iconic Apollo Theater, sat in with the Dave Matthews Band, was a featured guest with Jon Batiste, performed as part of The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour, and sang the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden for a NY Rangers game. Produced by Grammy Award winner Eli Wolf, Bria’s Fall 2019 album, Nothing Never Happens, offers striking originals and creative covers of Queen, The Beatles, Duke Ellington, and more.
PRESS QUOTES:
One of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation
The Wall Street Journal
Ms. Skonberg has become the shining hope of hot jazz, on the strength of a clarion trumpet style indebted to Louis Armstrong, a smooth purr of a singing voice inspired by Anita O’Day.
The New York Times
A millennial shaking up the jazz world
Vanity Fair
On her debut US recording, trumpeter and vocalist Bria Skonberg makes a diverse musical statement‘¦it’s clear she’s up to more than nostalgia
New York Daily News
Bria Skonberg confirms that she is not only indeed a triple threat musician’“player, vocalist and composer’“but also that that esteemed lineage, consummate entertainers all, would heartily approve her membership
All About Jazz
