Letters to the Editor June 2018

Discs and Discoveries To the Editor: Your May issue got me to listen to Bria Skonberg and Andy Schumm—both for the first, but certainly not the last, time. While your front-page article makes her sound like a trumpet sensation, I was pleasantly surprised to discover she is an equally great vocalist. (Or is there another Bria Skonberg?) Like Schumm, she belongs to the cool school of revivalists. I couldn’t help thinking there was a bit of both Bix and Chet listening to songs like “Thinking Out Loud.” I also felt like I was in New Orleans. “Time To Go” belongs on a Blue Note album of the late 1950s or early 1960s. And may I say her version of John Lennon’s “Julia” would bring tears to the composer’s eyes. Schumm really sounds like a reincarnation of Bix and his album with Louie reincarnate Enrico Tomasso, “When Louis Met Bix,” is splendid in its imaginings of duets between these giants. “Ol’ Man River” is Bix down to the rips. I plan on buying “Futuristic Rhythms” as soon as my budget permits. Anyway, I’m drowning in a first flood of delights from these musicians. Thanks for pointing me—again—in the right direction. David Federman Ardmore, PA I am deeply grateful that more people are discovering the music of these magnificent artists—and that we have been the catalyst for that discovery! - Ed. Kind Praise from Maine To the Editor