Bria Skonberg

Bria Skonberg creates a sound that feels both deeply rooted in the history of New Orleans jazz and entirely at home in a modern metropolitan penthouse. Her music is defined by the duality of her talent: she is a world-class trumpeter with a bold, brassy tone and a vocalist with a warm, conversational intimacy that recalls the great jazz chanteuses of the 1950s.

What truly distinguishes her is the way she integrates these two roles. She often uses her trumpet to finish her vocal phrases, creating a seamless dialogue between her voice and her instrument. Her arrangements frequently incorporate unexpected modern touches, like subtle R&B grooves or pop-inflected melodies, ensuring the music never feels like a mere museum piece or a retro exercise.

Start with her 2016 self-titled album, 'Bria'. It perfectly captures her ability to balance standards with original compositions, showcasing her technical prowess on the horn alongside her gift for storytelling. It is the ideal entry point for anyone who loves the elegance of the Great American Songbook but craves a fresh, 21st-century perspective.