JUNO award-winning trumpeter and vocalist Bria Skonberg is back with her newest album, What It Means, released earlier this summer via Cellar Music Group. The album is B.C. native’s tribute to the music and tradition of the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans, a city that has made a significant impact in her life as a musician.
The project took shape during the early days of the COVID-19 global pandemic when Skonberg felt the crushing weight of isolation as a musician while navigating life as a new mother. “I was trying to find a way back and a way forward at the same time,” Skonberg recalls in a statement. But out of a desolate time came forth a beautiful spring of new inspiration which led Skonberg to start recording in 2021. Inspired by legendary acts such as Louis Armstrong, Wynton Marsalis and Sidney Bechet and produced by longtime mentor and friend Matt Pierson, What It Means also features appearances by the great NOLA drum legend Herlin Riley, bassist Grayson Brockamp, pianist Chris Pattishall, and horn players Aurora Nealand, Rex Gregory, Ethan Santos, Ben Jaffe of Preservation Hall Band and vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa.
Fast forward three years later, What It Means is now out in the world and NYC-based Skonberg is currently on tour with a stop in Toronto supporting Italian jazz singer Pilar’s show at Koerner Hall on November 2.
She stopped by Afternoon Drive with Brad Barker earlier this week to talk more about the album and her upcoming show with Pilar at Koerner Hall. What It Means is available on all streaming platforms and wherever music is sold. Tickets for Pilar with The Royal Conservatory Strings and Bria Skonberg Quintet are on sale and available here.
