March 18, 2024

Bria Skonberg

April 22, 2016
BOLD AS BRASS

She’s not one to trumpet her own success, if you’ll pardon the pun, but Canadian trumpet player, vocalist and composer doesn’t have to; everyone else in the jazz world is sending plenty of kudos her way.

THRIVING TRUMPET

Skonberg, who hails from Chilliwack, British Columbia and now lives in New York City, started in music with piano lessons at the age of 7, switching to trumpet when she was around 11 years old.

“I have to credit my parents with putting a real love of music in my heart, along with my two siblings,” Skonberg said.

Her older brother played country-style fiddle and she’d often accompany him to competitions, soaking in the sounds. In ninth grade, Skonberg performed in a high school production of “Grease” and, with that, started singing on stage, as well.

“Chilliwack High School had a thriving music program, so I always associated playing jazz with a fun community culture,” she said. “Because of these performance opportunities, I was lucky to both play and sing with a local professional big band.”

MUSICAL MECCA

After high school, Skonberg moved to Vancouver, obtaining a degree in jazz performance from Capilano University.

“In the following years, I managed multiple jazz bands that traveled and I would perform as a soloist overseas in Europe and Japan,” she said. “By the time I moved to New York, I had visited five times and made friends who I would end up working with; New York is an incredible jazz mecca.”

Skonberg started notching her achievements and, to date, has performed with the likes of famed American jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden and jazz trombonist Wycliffe Gordon. She was honored with the CBC Jazz Award of Merit, the Kobe Jazz Street Award, the New York Bistro Award for Outstanding Jazz Artist and, just last year, snagged a Swing! Award from Jazz at Lincoln Center.

AUDIENCE CONNECTIONS

Part of Skonberg’s appeal to the jazz crowd is the fact that she honors classic jazz right at its roots, with her wide range of jazz knowledge and skill, but she also turns it somewhat upside down by infusing her performances with additional influences, from pop and world music to swampy New Orleans blues.

She’s four albums into her own discography, having just recorded a new one she expects will be released this summer.

“This album was a great learning experience because I worked with an excellent producer, Matt Pierson (Joshua Redman/ Pat Metheny/Bob James), who helped me sift through the best of my ideas and stylistic elements and capture them.”

The album was largely crowdfunded, which Skonberg said gave her added opportunity to connect with her audience and share the recording process.

JAZZ SPIRIT

Skonberg’s live shows find her performing music from two of her albums, So is The Day and Into Your Own, plus some previews of tracks from the upcoming album, as well as classic jazz tunes she’s arranged.

She brings her quintet with her on the road — she’s played with them regularly for about three years now — and also throws snippets of Louis Armstrong, Anita O’Day and Sidney Bechet into her setlist on occasion.

When we say “on the road,” we mean it.

Skonberg’s thrown herself into touring this year and is more than ready for her northern Michigan audience.

“Since January, I’ve visited South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Minnesota, Iowa, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Arkansas, West Virginia, Vermont and California,” she said. “We’ll be coming to Traverse City right after playing at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, so we’ll be full of jazz spirit!”

Bria Skonberg will perform at the City Opera House in Traverse City Apr. 30 at 8pm. For tickets and more information, visit cityoperahouse.org or call the box office at (231) 941-8082.

Trending

What's Behind the Orange Cone

This road construction season promises to be one for the ages, so we’re starting something new here at Northern Expr... Read More >>

Transformational Libraries

Over the past two years, the American Library Association (ALA) has offered more than $7 million in grants to small and ru... Read More >>

The Butterflies and the Bees

How much do you know about pollinators and native plants? The Wexford Conservation District is ready to up your knowledge ... Read More >>

An Ecstatic Equinox

Celebrate the Spring Equinox (early this year: March 19) with the Day of Dance at the Cathedral Barn at Historic Barns Par... Read More >>