What People Are Saying About Bria Skonberg

"Bria Skonberg looks like a Scandinavian angel (or Thor's girlfriend), plays trumpet like a red hot devil, and sings like a dream. Her new album, "So Is the Day" reveals that she's also a very capable bandleader and composer." • Will Friedwald, The Wall Street Journal

"Bria radiates an energy that is so refreshing to see, and her compositional chops are on par with her ability to swing!" • Bucky Pizzarelli

Bria was excellent last Friday night. Crowd loved her. Just as you said. Her sales are in great shape for next April's engagement. Looking forward to it. • Michael Brand, Wharton Center for the Performing Arts / Summer Solstice Jazz Fest

If Louis Armstrong and Doris Day could somehow be the same person, they'd be Bria Skonberg. With her outstandingly Satchelmouthed trumpet solos, charismatic singing and sunshine personality, the 30-year-old continues to shine a light on the New Hot Jazz movement, in her own bands, in the Armstrong Eternity Band, and as a producer of the New York Hot Jazz Festival. • Will Friedwald, The Wall Street Journal

"So is the Day, while tipping a hat to tradition, appropriately pushes Bria Skonberg to the forefront of today's musical talents. She has it all—so does this superb recording." It's a rare talent that can straddle—and dare request membership in—the trumpet artist continuum emanating from Louis Armstrong and progressing down through his "Neo Orleans" progeny: Byron Stripling, Wynton Marsalis and Nicholas Payton (whose big band trumpet section Skonberg graces). However, with her bravura performance on So is the Day, Bria Skonberg confirms that she is not only indeed a triple threat musician—player, vocalist and composer—but also that that esteemed lineage, consummate entertainers all, would heartily approve her membership…She exhibits stylistic shades of Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington, and Diana Krall. She has a beautiful voice—both soul sultry and innocent sweet—and an instrumentalist's feel for melodic line and rhythm. Her vocal and horn chops intertwine seamlessly…An insightfully versatile composer, Skonberg delivers nine engaging originals, all stylistically unique…" • Nicholas F. Mondello, All About Jazz

“On her debut (U.S.) recording, trumpeter and vocalist Bria Skonberg makes a diverse musical statement…it’s clear she’s up to more than nostalgia. On trumpet, she’s been nurtured in the pre-bop traditions but stretches beyond to more modern approaches. Her singing chops may remind of Norah Jones…and she’s excellent in the duo with veteran John Pizzarelli.” • Greg Thomas, NY Daily News

“Bria Skonberg’s new CD is like a breath of fresh air in a stuffy room…Sknonberg has a voice that is pure and almost little girl in quality except on bluesey items where she displays some of the authority of Dinah Washington…This is a totally fun album and very contagious. There is never a dull moment…most of all there is the bright, inquisitive talents and spirit of Bria Skonberg who promises to be a mighty musical force.” • Marcia Hillman, New York Jazz Record

“What do you do when you encounter a record that's so beautiful it makes you say ‘ouch'? A singing trumpeter that's taken everything about jazz since Louis Armstrong seriously as she internalized it, this date has it all on the ball. Infusing the music with humor, bringing Dixieland and funk together with a first call crew aiding and abetting…Skonberg is taking and making jazz on her own terms. A real MVP that seems like she can play any position, Skonberg is the artist to keep an eye and ear on this year. She's got it all going on.” • MidwestRecord.com

“Bria Skonberg has quickly become a favorite among New Jersey Jazz Society members with her fine trumpet playing, appealing vocalizing and witty personality. So Is the Day (Random Act Records – 1007) shows off another creative side of the Skonberg talents, that of songwriter. Nine of the twelve tunes on this album have words and music by Skonberg…Skonberg’s originals are catchy, with clever lyrics…. Skonberg’s trumpet and flugelhorn playing is always tasty, with nicely subtle twists and turns. Her singing is natural and her voice easy on the ears. So Is the Day is an album that should gets lots of airplay, and garner much attention for the rising star of Bria Skonberg.” • Joe Lang, Jersey Jazz

If Bria keeps putting out bulletproof jazz albums like "So is The Day," someday she'll be a brand like Fitzgerald, Holiday, McRae and Washington were.. For now, Bria is leaving her footprint all over New York’s jazz scene…“So is The Day” is a debut jazz album that made the hairs on my neck, knuckles and toes dance.. • idigjazz.blogspot.com

Bria Skonberg has blown into the Big Apple with all the right tools. Bria Skonberg's immense talents include a unique almost contemporary spin on the more traditional jazz and swing the scene was built on. Another feather in her cap is the ability to take at times the somewhat tired and played out New Orleans sound and infuse a sonic freshness in a sub-genre that as of late has seen better days…Jazz has a new shooter and her name is Bria Skonberg. The smart money is on Bria! • www.criticaljazz.com

"...this fresh-faced 27-year old trumpeter and vocalist brings considerable chops and charm to a venerable heritage." • Will Friedwald, The Wall Street Journal