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 #74 - Nathan Samuelson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:07
Nathan Samuelson is a trumpet player and vocalist who guest entertains on cruises across the world. His sound is jazz, but with a pop sensibility. Nathan has studied under master teachers such as Dominic Spera, Alan Hood…
Episode #73 - Tom Hooten [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:56
Thomas Hooten is Principal Trumpet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Hooten began his career in 2000 with a trumpet/cornet position in "The President's Own" United States Marine Band in Washington, D.C., where h…
Episode #72 - Ralph Pyl [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:43
Ralph Pyl started trumpet at age 12 on the northern beaches of Sydney Australia beginning his career studying and learning with US trumpet players and mentors John Hoffman and Dick Montz. Ralph has performed and recorded…
Episode #71 - Reinhold Friedrich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:16
Reinhold Friedrich has been a prolific performer on major stages around the world such as the Musikverein in Vienna, the Concertgebouw Amsterdam and the Berlin Philharmonie. As a soloist, Reinhold Friedrich performs both…
Episode #70 - Greg Adams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:51
Greg Adams is a founding member of the band Tower of Power and became widely known for his trumpet playing and horn arranging. This lead to collaborations in the studio and live on stage with the world's premier artists…
Episode #69 - Dontae Winslow [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:18
Dontae Winslow is one of the most versatile in-demand trumpeter/arranger/composers on the Hollywood music scene. His trumpet/arranging/songwriting can be heard on classics such as Kanye West's grammy winning "We Major" f…
Episode #68 - Niall O'Sullivan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:50
This episode features Irish trumpeter Niall O'Sullivan. Niall has performed all over the world, from orchestral playing to his solo theatre show. Leading his own ensemble, Niall and his fellow musicians dazzle the public…
Episode #67 - John Hutchinson, MouthpieceOnline.com [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:51
John Hutchinson is our special guest this episode. John is a trumpeter, arranger, composer, teacher and blogger. Graduating from the Royal College of Music, London in 1999, he began his freelance career working with many…
Episode #66 - Hub van Laar, Van Laar Trumpets & Flugelhorns [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:14
Hub van Laar founded his company in 1990 in Margraten, near Maastricht, on the border triangle to the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. Beginning as a workshop for brass wind instruments, the company expanded rapidly und…
Episode #65 - Robert Karon, TrumpetBob.com [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:49
A native of New Orleans, Robert Karon received his Bachelor of Arts cum laude in Music from UCLA and Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School in New York City. He was the recipient of the Longy Award for achievem…