Trumpeter-singer Bria Skonberg continues to stretch herself on her latest recording, What It Means. While designed partly as a tribute to New Orleans, it features her exploring several different musical areas.
Skonberg is joined by pianist Chris Pattishall, guitarist Don Vappie (who plays banjo on “Cornet Chop Suey”), bassist Grayson Brockamp, and drummer Herlin Riley with several guests, most notably tenor-saxophonist Rex Gregory and trombonist Ethan Santos on four numbers, and sousaphonist Ben Jaffe on two.
The opening “Comes Love,” which was originally made famous by Billie Holiday, begins as a lowdown groove before switching to hyper Latin jazz after the first chorus. Skonberg sings a delightful “Sweat Pea” and “Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans.” She gives “The Beat Goes On” a surprising treatment by playing a rhythmic groove from Lee Morgan’s “The Sidewinder” and turning the pop tune into a medium-tempo boogaloo blues.
Some of the other selections include the hard bop original “In The House” (which is essentially “Summertime” with an extension each chorus), a mainstream romp through “Cornet Chop Suey,” the pop ballad “Beautiful Boy,” and a slightly funky “Days Like This” which features singer Gabrielle Cavassa. Sidney Bechet’s “Petite Fleur” (which in this version starts out similar to “Harlem Nocturne”) is one of the highlights. It features Skonberg’s expert plunger mute work and some fine bass clarinet playing from Gregory. The program concludes with a New Orleans Mardi Gras-type song (“Elbow Bump”) and Billy Joel’s “Lullabye.” Even with all of its diversity, What It Means has enough bright moments to interest those who enjoy Bria Skonberg’s New Orleans jazz-flavored trumpet.
Bria Skonberg
What It Means
Cellar Music CMO 72624
www.cellarmusicgroup.com
