Live & Local: Bria Skonberg on New Christmas EP and Holiday Special Stopping in Denver
As a singer, trumpeter, songwriter, and educator, Bria Skonberg is at the forefront of the revival of classic American music. The great Quincy Jones has shouted out her commitment to the artform, pointing out that she follows Louis Armstrong aka Pops, “even in the motto, ‘play it, don't say it.’” “I didn't think that I really enjoyed history growing up, as I've studied more music and I've gotten into the characters and the people behind the stories and the music, it just, it all has all come together to be this beautiful, you know, it's the story of America. It's the story of people coming together”
Her new holiday EP Christmas Is… brings together the many feelings the holidays can stir up. “I mean, it's joy, it's laughter, it's fun, it's flirty, it's social. And then there are moments that are truly melancholic and it's sensitive, and you reflect on the year that you've had, or you think about, you know, the holidays and what relationships mean to you. So in this EP which is I think 7 songs, there's a little fire, there's a little snow. Definitely a lot of joy, and there's a hint of melancholy in it as well. It captures a little bit of all of that.” This album includes classics like Duke Ellington’s “Dance of the Sugar Rum Cherry” and a version of “What Child is This” that honors those moments of reflection. She also includes some originals and puts her touch on new favorites like Sia’s “Santa Is Coming for Us.”
Along with the new album, Bria Skonberg is set to return to Denver Wednesday, December 10 at the Newman Center to present her holiday special, Jingle Bell Swing. With her sextet, she’ll share music from this new album and other holiday favorites.
Bria Skonberg spoke with The Morning Set’s Abi Clark about the new holiday album and returning show, as well as touch on her quest as a millennial carrying the torch of jazz tradition through projects like her last album "What it Means," recorded in New Orleans with the legendary Herlin Riley.
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