Bria Skonberg's Success Formula (Episode 49)

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.