“If Louis Armstrong and Doris Day could somehow be the same person, they’d be Bria Skonberg” –Wall Street Journal
Bria Skonberg is a Juno-award winning artist, ten-time Downbeat Rising Star, and a Jazz at Lincoln Center Swing! Awardee. Also, she won the 2022 “Legend” Award by the Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook. The trumpeter, vocalist, and composer has been called the “shining hope of hot jazz” (New York Times). Also, she is considered “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. Also, she played with U2 at the iconic Apollo Theater and sat in with the Dave Matthews Band. Additionally, Bria was a featured guest with Jon Batiste and performed as part of The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour.
Bria continues to solidify her artistry, mastering her signature style as one of the most distinctive artists in jazz. 2024’s What It Means Is a career-defining album, inspired by the sounds of New Orleans jazz. “Pure sonic ebullience is in full display on Skonberg’s latest album What It Means, which mashes traditional jazz sounds and tunes with more modern jazz and even pop styles,” wrote Lee Mergner for WBGO.
Bria has a multitude of new and exciting music in store for audiences, releasing a holiday EP in 2025. Additionally, she will release two albums out in 2026: one trumpet-focused and one vocal-forward. Here, she brings all her new music to the stage with her quintet.
Recommended for fans of Ingrid Jensen, Jeremy Pelt, Stella Cole and Emmet Cohen.
📸: Bill Westmoreland
