BRIA SKONBERG

INDIGO

Cellar Music Group

Bria Skonberg, trumpet/vocals/composer; Gil Goldstein, piano/accordion/arranger; Eric Wheeler, bass; Darrian Douglas, drums/percussion; Antoine Silverman & Entcho Todorov, violins; Yuko Naito-Gotay, viola; Emily Brausa, violincello; Kathleen Nester, alto flute; Charles Pillow, bass clarinet.

Bria Skonberg is a multi-talented artist who plays trumpet and is also a competent jazz vocalist. She opens this “Indigo” release with the popular jazz standard, “Watch What Happens.”  During this arrangement, she shows off her silky-smooth vocals and her creativity while improvising on the melody. Bria showcases her vocal scat ability, as well as her powerful trumpet playing.

On “I’m Glad There is You” Skonberg introduces the verse to me before launching into the familiar song that Gloria Lynn made so famous. The lyrics are rich and poignant.  Bria Skonberg puts deep feeling into this song when she sings, “In this world of ordinary people, extraordinary people, I’m glad there is you,” I believe her.  Skonberg’s trumpet solo is as emotional as her vocals.

Supported by an ensemble of chamber-like arrangements, written by multi-Grammy Award winner, Gil Goldstein, her voice is surrounded by strings, alto flute, bass clarinet and an attentive rhythm section. She surprises with the unusual introduction of “Mood Indigo” using the classic Miles Davis riff that introduced his “All Blues” tune to the world.

Her interpretation of Sting’s “Fragile” is delicate and pensive, like the song itself. Her original composition, and the only one on this recording, is called “So It Goes.”  It shuffles into my listening room with sincerity and a lightness that buoys the heavy lyrics.

The bass clarinet of Charles Pillow is very beautifully played on “We’ll be Together Again.”

This is a relaxing album of carefully selected lyrically rich songs. Skonberg offers us her unique emotional delivery and excellent trumpet talents.  This is the kind of album you put on for a quiet dinner.  Light the candles or the fireplace, then cuddle up to listen to Bria Skonberg sing songs about love and life.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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