After witnessing Bria's tenacity first hand it became increasingly important for me to shine a light on her innate ability to breath life into her dreams through hard work, focused leadership and vision. On this episode of The Working Artist Project, we explore Bria's past with the purpose of decoding her formula for success. Enjoy the show.
Connect with Bria here: http://www.briaskonberg.com
Connect with Darrian here: http://www.secondlinearts.org
Bio
New York based Canadian singer, trumpeter and songwriter Bria Skonberg has been described
as one of the “most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation” (Wall Street Journal).
Recognized as one of 25 for the Future by DownBeat Magazine, Bria Skonberg has been a
force in the new generation with her bold horn melodies and smoky vocals, and adventurous
concoctions of classic and new.
Bria is signed to Sony Music Masterworks’ OKeh Records and released her debut LP in
September 2016, Bria, which won a Canadian JUNO award and made the Top 5 on Billboard
jazz charts. She collaborated again with producer Matt Pierson, as well as multi-Grammy winner
Gil Goldstein, for her second Sony album, With A Twist, released May 2017. Her take on
Leonard Cohen’s “Dance Me To The End of Love” has garnered over 1.3 million streams.
Noted as a millennial “shaking up the jazz world,” (Vanity Fair), Bria Skonberg has played
festivals and stages the world over, including New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Monterey
Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, and over a hundred more. She
recently performed the Star Spangled Banner at Madison Square Garden for an NHL game.
Originally from the small 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 and Japan and throughout Europe.
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. 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.
In 2012, Bria released So Is The Day (Random Act Records). That collection showcased a
developing flair for original songs and new takes on standards, including a duet with John
Pizzarelli. So Is The Day received rave reviews from critics; “while tipping a hat to tradition, [So
Is The Day] appropriately pushes Bria Skonberg to the forefront of today's musical talents” (All
About Jazz). In 2015, following her second album Into Your Own, Skonberg received the
distinguished Jazz At Lincoln Center Swing Award. Further accolades include Best Vocal and
Best Trumpet awards from Hot House Jazz Magazine (2014-15, 2017), Outstanding Jazz Artist
from the New York Bistro Awards (2014), DownBeat Rising Star (2013-17), and a nominee for
Jazz Journalists Association Up and Coming Artist (2013).
She is an avid educator and supporter of public school opportunities, giving numerous
workshops and concerts for students of all ages. Bria has been a faculty member at the
Sacramento Traditional Jazz Camp (2008- present), Centrum Jazz Camp, performs outreach on
behalf of Jazz at Lincoln Center and co-founded the New York Hot Jazz Camp for adults in
2015. She is also co-founder of the New York Hot Jazz Festival.
