Bria Skonberg

Saturday, June 11 @ 7pm

To most of us, the adventures of trailblazing triple threat trumpeter, vocalist and songwriter Bria Skonberg are borderline unbelievable. Born in British Columbia, Canada and now residing in New York City, Bria has been a featured bandleader and guest artist at hundreds of festivals and stages the world over, including New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival and Montreal Jazz Festival. Described as “one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation” (Wall Street Journal), she has created a signature sound of fiery trumpet playing and smoky vocals blending jazz, blues and beyond with storytelling and adventurous concoctions of classic and new. Bria has performed with Jon Batiste, U2, Michelle Williams, Pedrito Martinez, The American Pops and Vancouver Symphony Orchestras, The Blacksmiths and once sang the “Star Spangled Banner” at Madison Square Garden for a NY Rangers game. The “shining hope of hot jazz” (NY Times) is well versed in classic American music as both a performer and educator, programming masterclasses, concerts and workshops for students of all ages. Her debut LP on Sony Masterworks won a Canadian JUNO award and made the Top 5 on Billboard jazz charts. Bria has recorded on over 25 albums and recently released her sixth studio solo album “Nothing Never Happens” consisting of mostly original compositions; Her music has garnered over 13 million streams online and over 85000 social media followers. A 6x Downbeat Rising Star, further accolades include the Jazz at Lincoln Center Swing Award, Best Vocal and Best Trumpet from Hot House Jazz Magazine and Outstanding Jazz Artist at the Bistro Awards.

She has been on faculty at the Teagarden Jazz Camp (2008- present), Geri Allen Jazz Camp (2020-21) and Centrum Jazz Camp, performs outreach on behalf of Jazz at Lincoln Center, has developed educational activities for the Louis Armstrong House Museum and co-directs the New York Hot Jazz Camp she co-founded in 2015. In 2018 Lincoln Center sought out her leadership for a tribute to the first integrated all female big band, the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, which launched her acclaimed group Sisterhood of Swing. In 2019 she was a featured member of Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour for 26 dates alongside Cecile McLorin Salvant, Christian Sands, Melissa Aldana and Jamison Ross. She is an active member of the International Trumpet Guild, Women in Jazz Organization, Jazz Education Network and a Bach Conn-Selmer artist. Originally from the rural town of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Bria studied jazz and performance at Capilano University in Vancouver while balancing a full road schedule with two bands. After graduating she traveled extensively, performing in China, Japan and throughout Europe as a featured artist. When she wasn’t traveling, Bria was honing her chops with Dal Richards, Vancouver’s King of Swing. Playing BC Place Stadium at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver capped off this exciting period, with Bria featured at the Paralympics opening ceremony for over 50 000 people. Seeking new challenges, Bria moved to New York city in September of 2010. Upon arrival she went to jam with friends in Washington Square Park and an hour into playing world renowned trumpeter Wynton Marsalis stopped to listen. He gave her a thumbs up and she never looked back.