NYC Jazz trumpet player, Singer, Songwriter, Instigator. Chilliwack meets New York.

And you feel like steppin' out - Last chance to see the singing & swinging Brass and Belles TONIGHT and TOMORROW at The Cafe Carlyle, 10:45 pm!

The last two shows of Brass and Belles are coming this week to the Cafe Carlyle:
May 23rd and May 24th @ 10:45 pm
$25-$30 cover/$25 min
Reservations: 212.744.1600
35 East 76th St & Lex

Hope to see you there!

So full of inspiration and food from a recent trip to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival! What a magical place. Time to get back to work writing new music and being creative... :)

A blurb about last night's show at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel's Cafe Carlyle: http://www.t2conline.com/the-perfect-storm-bria-skonberg-at-cafe-carlyle/
by Stephen Sorokoff

I've never done multiples of the same program and am having a blast with Brass and Belles! We're getting a little more wacky within it every time. Come see and hear what this writer describes as "a dose of the bubbly" :) Last chance at 10:45 tonight!!

BRASS AND BELLES returns to the Cafe Carlyle this weekend following legendary song writer Paul Williams. Sets at 10:45 pm. Hope to see you there!
$25/$25

Thank-you Tom Dorewtzky of The Daily News for checking out Brass and Belles and asking some good questions! Be sure to reserve your spot at the Carlyle for April 25th and 26th :) Phone: 212.744.1600

Our first show review, yay! Last weekend marked the first appearances of "Brass and Belles" at the Carlyle. Here's what people are saying:

http://www.nitelifeexchange.com/review/jazz/2375-cafe-carlyle-late-bria-skonberg-.html

Mark your calendars for our next hits: April 25/26 and May 23/24

Next up I'm heading to Washington DC to play for the DC Lindy Exchange - Can't wait!! Here's a featured article in the Washington Post by Adam Bernstein:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/bria-skonberg-a-young-jazz-star-on-the-rise/2013/04/11/83b542dc-926d-11e2-bdea-e32ad90da239_story.html

Woohoo! I've got my Brass & Belles charts all cleaned up for the Cafe Carlyle run that starts this Thursday & Friday night @10:45 pm. If you'd like to hear a little more about it you can download this recent interview on "For Your Ears Only" with David Alpern. I may have included Louis Armstrong, Dean Martin, the Spice Girls and Gwen Stefani in the same response to early role models.

https://www.yousendit.com/download/UVJoOU1hbEpoMlVYRHNUQw

April is here! Find out what's happening this month on my BS Update newsletter: http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=5bb905a25d9ff7d9295b72994&id=e4815619f0

OK! I can officially announce a triple engagement at the Cafe Carlyle in NY for my "Brass and Belles" show as part of their new late night Act 2 Series. The shows are running April 11-12,25-26, and May 23-24 all @10:45 pm and will feature music of the horn/vocal swing era duos as well as original material.

Keeping It Hot: With Bria Skonberg, Dave Bennett & Mike Waskiewicz, a Riverwalk Jazz Broadcast recorded in late 2007 at The Landing in San Antonio, Texas, will be re-airing and available for the next few weeks. For those in New York, The Jim Cullum Jazz Band is performing Wednesday, March 20th at Symphony Space for the Sidney Bechet Society. Follow the link for more info; Enjoy!!

I'm freshly back from beautiful British Columbia - There's no place like home!
Check out the link for this month's video update and newsletter.

Check out some recent adds to my YouTube Channel from the JEN Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Subscribe and be the first to know :)

Enjoy this month's update and musical performance by following the link!

**** I forgot to mention a very special event happening SUNDAY FEBRUARY 3RD
I am leading a swinging 6 piece band + special guests at the Unitarian Congregation in Manhasset, New York at 1:30, presented by the Sidney Bechet Society. Donation of $15, 48 Shelter Rock Road****

Click for his month's BS Update re-capping the fun we had in Atlanta including a little musical taste, and sharing what's up next. Huge thanks again to all the Kickstarter supporters, especially these top tiers:

$500
Gene and Elsie Cheston
The Vancouver Dixieland Jazz Society: Kaye Mesei, Mary Blouin, Susan Teather, Peter Minshull, Ron & Marion MacQueen, Andrenna Greavette, Don Brown
Grandpa Al
Owen and Chris Skonberg

$250
Bill Hoffman
Bill C.
Moonliters Big Band, BC
Dal and Muriel Richards

$100
Emily & Woods Novak
North Carolina Jazz Festival
Robert Patch
Karen Hansen Lichtfuss
Sweety Hot Sauce
Jeanette Tedmon
Marcel Polak

What a thrill it was to play at the 4th annual Jazz Education Network Conference in Atlanta this first weekend of January. The "Bria Skonberg Ensemble" consisted of Colleen Clark on percussion, Ulysses Owens Jr on drums, Sean EZ Cronin on bass, Evan Arntzen on reeds, Dalton Ridenhour on piano and special guest Wycliffe Gordon on trombone - What a blast!! This was made possible by over 50 people contributing over $5000 to a Kickstarter fund, and we are grateful. I am assembling the incentive mailouts now of CDs, BBQ sauce and more and will have them to you ASAP! If this is any indication of the year to come, I am PUMPED!! Stay tuned for more adventures coming up in 2013 :D

Thanks to all who came and tuned in to watch the Iridium Jazz Club show- What a night!! You can watch the first set playback here - http://iridiumlive.com/live-webcast/
and check out the debut of ELECTRIC SWAMP effects at 01:11 where Louis Armstrong meets Jimi Hendrix :D I'm grateful to work with such open minded musicians. Back to the lab I go... :)

Lots to share with you and look forward to this month - Read it all in this month's BS Update Newsletter! You can subscribe by writing me a note on the contact page. Happy Holidays!

Hello fine musical folk!

There is an incredible buffet of musical entertainment happening in New York on this night in December, and I'm pleased to present my own signature flavour to the table... something like swampy grits with a sweet & spicy glaze.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 11TH marks my 3rd date at the Iridium Jazz Club thanks to Scobar Entertainment. Featured musicians are:
Ehud Asherie, piano
Colleen Clark, percussion
Sean Cronin, bass
Ronnie Magri, drums
Bria Skonberg, trumpet, vocals, flugelhorn
and a special guest will be augmenting the brass section.

Set times are 8 and 10 pm
Address: 1650 Broadway, NY NY
Reservations recommended at: 212 582 2121

Hope to see you there :)

-Bria

Did you know that Barack Obama and Louis Armstrong share the same August birthday 60 years apart? We'll celebrate both these pioneers today at The Birdland Jazz Club featuring Anat Cohen Jim Fryer Marion Patrick Felder John Gill & leader Dave Ostwald at 5:30 pm

THANK YOU to everyone who has generously contributed to my Kickstarter Campaign "Contribute to Jazz Education"! We have surpassed the $4000 goal so I will be showcasing a SEVEN piece band at the conference. WOW! I will update on personnel and more when the dust settles. Thank you very much!

I'm pleased to announce the launch of a Kickstarter fundraising campaign to enable my group to perform at the 4th annual JAZZ EDUCATION NETWORK Conference in Atlanta Georgia, this January! Click on the link for this month's "BS UPDATE" and follow the links. Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated!!

I'm stoked to be leading a set at Birdland today! I've worked up 75 minutes of thumpy/swingy/gritty/glossy music starting at 6:00 pm sharp featuring Colleen B. Clark Jason Brown, Ehud Asherie and Sean Eugene Zbigniew Cronin. All are welcome!

This just in! I'll be presenting a showcase for music from my album So Is The Day featuring Ehud Asherie on piano, Sean EZ Cronin on bass, Jason Brown on drums and Colleen B Clark on percussion. 6:00 pm $20/$10 min

Check out new clips from my recent Iridium date on my YouTube channel by following the link

My good friend and inspiration Jon-Erik Kellso has asked me to cover for him this Sunday night, September 9th for his regular gig at the Ear Inn, 8-11 pm @ 326 Spring Street. The "Ear-Regulars" will be Matt Munisteri on guitar, Scott Robinson playing brilliantly on (insert any instrument here) Greg Cohen on bass and I'll have my horn. Can't wait! Great food, no cover.

Come celebrated this Labour day weekend with me on September 2nd at the Pacific National Exhibition where I'll be reuniting with Canada's King Of Swing Dal Richards and his Orchestra. Show is at 11:30, free with park admission. Join the caravan that afternoon to the Jazz Vespers service at beautiful St.Andrews Wesley on Nelson Street. By donation, featuring Diane Lines, Jennifer Hodge and James Danderfer. Hope to see you there!

Thanks to Danny R Johnson for this review!

I had a blast the other night at the Iridium Jazz Club! Thanks so much to everyone who was there, to those that tuned in online and participated in the chat, my wonderful band mates and to Park Avenue Talent for bringing it all together. Congrats to JEREMIE MICHAEL who answered first to my trivia question sent out to cyberspace and will be receiving a signed copy of So Is The Day :)

Coming up next, I'm honoured to be playing in Louis Armstrong's very own back yard in Corona Queens this Saturday, July 21st from 2:00-3:30. $15 gets you a tour of the house and the full show- Open to everyone of course, just the way Louis would've wanted it :) The Louis Armstrong House Museum is located at: 34-56 107th Street, Corona, NY

This time tomorrow we'll be well warmed into our first set! yay! Remember you can tune in online at www.iridiumlive.tv WHEREVER you are. Joining me are Ehud Asherie on piano, Kelly Friesen on bass, Jason Brown on drums, and Roland Guerrero on percussion. Iridium Jazz Club, Broadway @ 51st, NY NY Shows at 8 and 10 pm

Follow the link for a traveling update from Ascona Switzerland, and find out how you can help us climb the charts! :)

Random Act Records boasts 2 of its artists on the week of June 18th Jazz listings - Carmen Intorre Jr's new release "For The Soul" joins the list at #31 and is sure to ascend. Congratulations to all!!

10 days in gorgeous Ascona Switzerland with incredible music... who could ask for anything more?

Swing out with me this Saturday night at the St.James Armenian Church in Watertown, MA! Dance lesson at 8 pm, party from 9-12 with James Wheatley on guitar, Billy Novack on reeds, Justin Meyer on bass and Bill Reynolds on drums. $15/$10 students

Hello West Coast peoples!

I'm happy to be coming home for a good time (not a long time) in a couple of weeks, and hope I can see and play for as many of you as possible as well as meet some new friends. We'll be featuring music from my new release "So Is The Day" from Random Act Records - www.randomactrecords.com - and whatever musical swamp I feel inspired to dive into that day. Hope you'll join me :)

Here's what's a happenin:

Wednesday, May 23rd in Portland, Oregon
Ivories Jazz Club, 1435 NW Flanders
8:00-11:00 $10/$5 student ID
Wrecking crew: Solomon Douglas on piano, D'Vonne Lewis on drums, Pete Petersen on reeds and Andre St. James on bass
www.ivoriesjazz.com (503) 241-6514

Tune into KBOO Community Radio at 90.7 FM at 2:30 for a pre-show interview!

Thursday, May 24th in Seattle, Washington
HEP CAT Swing Dance @ The Russian Center 704 19th Ave
9:00-12:30, $15
With Solomon, D'Vonne, Pete P and Geoff Cooke on Bass
www.seattleswing.com

Friday, May 25th in Vancouver, BC
Cellar Jazz Club, 3611 W Broadway
8:00 & 10:00, $15
Featuring Solomon, D'Vonne, Sean Cronin on bass and Jack Duncan on percussion
www.cellarjazz.com (604) 738 - 1959

Listen to an interview on A Trane radio 90.7 by Nou Dadoun 05/18/12 about it:
http://www.coopradio.org/station/archives/54


Saturday, May 26th in Seattle, Washington
CAMP JITTERBUG Swing Dance with Casey MacGill
Temple De Hirsch, 1511 East Pike Street
8:30-12:00 $25
www.campjitterbug.com
www.caseymacgill.com

For my fellow morning people, I'm doing an interview at 9 am with Alan Rock on WUCF-FM! Tune in at 89.9 in Orlando (FL) or online at www.wucf.org

Check out the making of So Is The Day and get to know me a little better through this video, courtesy of Random Act Records:

Sincere & grateful thanks to everyone who was a part of last night's CD Launch at the Iridium Jazz Club, whether you were part of the music, organization, audience or tuning in online. Thanks to my good friends of Mona's Hot 4 for the late night jam session too ;) I love you all and look forward to more adventures!!

So... It's The Day!!! You can officially order your copy of my album as well as watch a clip of the included footage of Warren, Tardo and I at the included link.

It's time!! Follow this link to the latest "BS Update' and read about the release details.

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=5bb905a25d9ff7d9295b72994&id=6d4c02db38

March 2012 already! My monthly "BS Update" Newsletter is available now; If you'd like to receive them by email just let me know at info@briaskonberg.com Cheers!

click on "launch related site" to the lower right to access it

The official date of the CD release is April 10th on Random Act Records - Party and performance dates to follow! I've uploaded a couple of sampler tracks on the "listen" page - feel free :)

Big thanks to Nick Mondello for writing this feature article for January's edition of JAZZed Magazine. What an honour! We start on page 30.

http://issuu.com/jazzed/docs/jazzed_january_2012/1

I'm very excited to announce the launch of a new monthly series I'm creating called MOSAIC which will feature "brilliantly jagged musical and comedic talent". I'm combining my love of music, the art of stand up comedy and thinking outside of the box to provide an experience that will satisfy your musical and witty humor palates. Held in the gorgeous yet funky cabaret comfort that is the Metropolitan Room, you will have full access to see, hear, and be a part of the action.

The short version:
Music and Comedy showcase
Wednesday January 11th, 9:30-10:45 pm
Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd, Manhattan NYC
$15 and 2 drink minimum

In-depth:

MOSAIC

The inaugural show is coming up fast on January 11th and will feature my band:
Tardo Hammer - piano
Ulysses Owens Jr - drums
Sean Cronin - bass

We'll be delving into the musical swamp that inspires me - New Orleans jazz, rhythm and blues, world music, pop, and my own original material.

COMEDY!

I went through dozens of videos of local comedians and selected these two for the first show -

NAOMI EKPERIGIN-
Naomi has been making audiences laugh for over 10 years. When she's not on the plantation, she can be found performing at such New York City venues as The Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, Gotham Comedy Club, or Karma Lounge, where she co-produces the monthly show "Coyote Average". You may have seen her on VH1's "The Short List," on the 5 Funny Females tour, or maybe on tour with the National Theater of the Deaf back in 2005.
www.facebook.com/BlacktressComedy

MIKE FEENEY

Mike Feeney is a New York based comedian who was born and raised in Long Island, New York, a breeding ground of talent (Judd Apatow, Billy Joel, Alec Baldwin, Rodney Dangerfield, Kevin James, Jackie Onassis, Billy Crystal, Joan Jett, Harvey Keitel, Eddie Murphy, Charlie Murphy, Lou Reed, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Don Rickles, Ray Romano, Jerry Seinfeld). His high energy and dynamic stage presence captivates young and old audiences alike. He is guaranteed to make you laugh or you can punch him in the face.
www.mikefeeneycomedy.com

Finally, our secret weapon of the night will be an appearance by the incredibly witty and talented guitarist/singer/song writer MATT MUNISTERI

Matt is co-leader of the popular "Ear Regulars" who play weekly at the Ear Inn on Sunday night. His style is influenced by finger-style Country and Ragtime guitar, through Blues, to Tin Pan Alley and Jazz. Matt has been called upon to play on a wide range of CDs, movie soundtracks, television shows, and commercials. Among them are are The Aviator, Finding Forrester, Ghost World, Blast From The Past, Two To Tango, The Backyardigans. The especially attuned ear might have even heard him sing recent radio ads for Amstel Light. Always primarily interested in the life of songs, and a devoted accompanist, Matt has recorded with many of today’s finest and most unique singers, including Holly Cole, Madeline Peyroux, Liz Wright, “Little” Jimmy Scott, Geoff Muldaur, Sasha Dobson, Catherine Russell, and Loudon Wainwright.

www.mattmunisteri.com


Tickets are $15 with a 2 beverage Minimum and can be pre-ordered Here: http://metropolitanroom.com/show.cfm?id=71351&cart

Hope to see you there!!

This site will be undergoing changes often in the upcoming while; Please check back for the most up to date information.