Carnegie Hall

New York–based trumpeter-vocalist Bria Skonberg has been described as one of the “most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation” (The Wall Street Journal). She links the present with the past by playing inventive arrangements of traditional jazz repertoire, clever reinterpretations of contemporary classics, and original compositions with genuine heart and dynamic flair.

Skonberg’s latest album, Nothing Never Happens, solidifies her as a truly unique voice in the jazz-blues-crossover realm. Released last fall, it offers striking originals and creative covers of Queen, The Beatles, Duke Ellington, and more. Produced by Grammy Award winner Eli Wolf, Nothing Never Happens invites listeners to join Skonberg in diverting attention from the overload of social media, breaking news, political bickering, and negative energy. She channels the ubiquitous anger and hopelessness that confronts us all in the modern media landscape, yet manages to drown out the white noise and shine a light on the serene and the celebratory.

In the past few years, Skonberg has performed the music of Aretha Franklin alongside Michelle Williams from Destiny’s Child, played with U2 at the Apollo Theater, sat in with the Dave Matthews Band, was a featured guest with Jon Batiste, and sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Madison Square Garden for a New York Rangers game. The 2017 Juno Award winner for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year has garnered more than 6 million streams on Spotify, and appeared as a featured member of the 2019 Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour alongside Cécile McLorin Salvant, Jamison Ross, Melissa Aldana, and Christian Sands. In addition, Skonberg is leader of the Sisterhood of Swing large ensemble, represents Jazz at Lincoln Center in schools, is co-director of the NY Hot Jazz Camp, and is currently creating original educational programming for the Louis Armstrong House Museum.