Episode #79 - Bria Skonberg

Episode #79 - Bria Skonberg

Author: Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces May 6, 2020 Duration: 1:05:01

Bria Skonberg is a trailblazing triple threat trumpeter, singer and songwriter. Born in British Columbia, Canada and now residing in New York City, the Juno Award winner for Best Vocal Jazz Album has performed hundreds of festivals and stages the world over, including New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival and Montreal Jazz Festival. Called the "shining hope of hot jazz" by the NY Times, Bria has been at the forefront of a revival of classic American music as both a performer and educator, programming concerts and workshops for students of all ages; She is currently developing educational activities for the Louis Armstrong House Museum and co-directs the New York Hot Jazz Camp she co-founded in 2015. Described as "one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation" (Wall Street Journal), she has performed the music of Aretha Franklin alongside Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child, played with U2 at the Apollo, 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 NY Rangers game. Bria has been featured on over 25 recordings and recently released her sixth studio solo album "Nothing Never Happens"; Her music has garnered over 10 million streams online.  A 6x Downbeat Rising Star, she tours constantly bringing her own signature sounds of fiery trumpet playing, smoky vocals and story-telling together with adventurous concoctions of classic and new.  Bria is a Bach Conn-Selmer artist; she plays a Bach Stradivarius 37 with a 3C Bach mouthpiece. Learn more about Bria at www.briaskonberg.com or visit www.bobreeves.com/79 to find the show notes for this episode.


There's a whole world of sound that happens before the music reaches the audience, a space filled with the clatter of valves, the whisper of breath, and the shared stories of a unique community. The Other Side Of The Bell-A Trumpet Podcast invites you into that world, offering a backstage pass to the realities of brass life. Hosted by the team at Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces, this series goes far beyond simple gear talk. Each episode feels like a conversation in the practice room, blending practical trumpet tips that address the daily hurdles players face with deep-dive interviews featuring the musicians themselves. You'll hear firsthand stories about the craft, the unexpected challenges of performance, and the personal journeys that shape an artist's sound. This podcast is built on decades of specialized knowledge, translating the nuanced experiences of embouchure, articulation, and endurance into accessible insights. Whether you're a student navigating your first orchestral audition or a seasoned professional refining your approach, the discussions here are grounded in real-world application. It’s about the person behind the instrument as much as the instrument itself, creating a genuine resource for anyone passionate about the trumpet. Tune in for a blend of technical wisdom and personal narrative that only comes from a lifetime spent listening from the other side of the bell.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Other Side Of The Bell - A Trumpet Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode #115 Marc Caparone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:00
This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring jazz trumpeter/cornetist Marc Caparone, is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass. Marc has been listening to classic jazz his entire life and is dedicated to keeping the…
Episode #114 - Yturvides [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Duration: 1:16:36
This episode of "The Other Side of The Bell" is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass. Please enjoy this conversation with John and world-renowned trumpeter, Chris Botti. Chris was featured back in Episode #24, and now agai…
Episode #112 LA Trumpet Ensemble with Wayne Bergeron and Jeff Bunnell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Welcome to Episode #112 of "The Other Side of the Bell", a podcast brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass. In this episode, John talks with Wayne Bergeron and Jeff Bunnell about their recently released album called "Homage"…
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Duration: 1:13:29
This podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass. Join us at Dillon Music, November 9-11 for valve alignments and mouthpiece consultations. Email sales@dillonmusic to schedule an appointment! David Washburn is a Yamaha…
Episode #110 - Mike Price [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:07
Mike Price is a professional trumpet player, formerly living in Tokyo, Japan. He composes and performs with the Mike Price Jazz Quintet or Orchestra. Originally from Chicago Illinois, he was a student of Vincent Cichowic…
Episode #109 - Bill Bing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:39
William Bing has recently retired as Director of Bands and Artist in Residence at the California Institute of Technology. During that time, he conducted over 250 concerts with the Caltech Jazz and Concert Band. He also s…
Episode #108 - Chris O'Hara [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:16
Chris O'Hara is an internationally renowned trumpet soloist, a chamber musician, and educator. His playing is described as "virtuosic and impressive in every way" (Chicago Music Examiner), and "a treat beyond measure" (A…
Episode #107 - Courtney Jones [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:28
The newest directions in 21st Century trumpet performance are being explored and defined by Courtney Jones, an award-winning Bach performing and recording artist who has also emerged as a leading figure in contemporary p…
Episode #106 - Marissa Benedict [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:51
Marissa Benedict was born in San Francisco, California and raised in Marin County where she started playing piano at age 7, violin at age 9 and trumpet at age 10 (studying with Joe Alessi, Sr.). She continued playing all…