Bria Skonberg - Into Your Own (2014)

Bria Skonberg is not traditional jazz. There is a playful spirit in Into Your Own that draws the listener in. The album features Skonberg on vocals, trumpet & flugelhorn. Dalton Ridenhour is on piano, Sean Cronin on bass, Darrian Douglas on drums, Adrian Cunningham on saxophones and clarinet and Mino Cinelu on percussion. The album is produced by Scott Elias who is also president of Random Act Records. Ten percent of the proceeds from the album are going to the Human Rights Campaign, an organization dedicated to achieving gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual equality.

Into Your Own is a combination of light, danceable tracks mixed with some covers. “Come Into Your Own” is more than just the title track. It is a statement and theme of the album. “Share The Wealth” and “All My Life” are also uplifting light songs. The album also features covers of The Beatles “Julia”, “Three Little Words” and “Winin’ Boy Blues.” Skonberg is a trumpet affectation ado but the trumpet does not dominate the album. Instead the entire band is given presence and style that, at times, sounds more like a jazz trio, than a six piece band. Skonberg’s vocals are more pop than jazz. She sings in a buoyant, playful and silky manner that sounds more like Colbie Caillet than Norah Jones.

Jazz can be heavy in form. Skonberg brings a new light to jazz in her album. Skonberg is confident and masterful with the classics. She does not insult the style but making it truly her own. In a similar way to Norah Jones, Skonberg makes jazz a pop adventure open to everyone. By Alex Teitz

Tracklist:

01. Come into Your Own
02. Three Little Words/Sir Duke
03. Little Girl
04. Share the Wealth
05. Break My Fall
06. Let's Go All In
07. Julia
08. Six More Weeks
09. Winin' Boy Blues
10. All My Life
11. Why Do You Do?
12. Go Tell It