Bria Skonberg, What It Means Review

Resonance and Revival: Bria Skonberg’s Bold Return in What It Means

By Sylvannia Garutch

Bria Skonberg’s album What It Means is the vocalist and trumpeter crafting a musical love letter to New Orleans jazz. Released on July 26, 2024, by Cellar Music Group, this project builds on the energy and musical essence of the Crescent City’s jazz heritage through Skonberg’s storytelling, introspection, and bravado. Known for her versatile gifts as a trumpeter and vocalist, Skonberg has always channeled a wide range of influences, but in What It Means, she dives into the heartbeat of New Orleans as her musical muse.

The album title is as intentional as the music itself. An homage to the classic jazz standard, “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?” Skonberg distills it to simply What It Means, making it a clear album manifesto. This truncated title informs the listener to consider what is truly essential in life. Skonberg’s vision here is one of unity through sound, inviting listeners to resonate with the core of jazz—the ability to connect, adapt, and celebrate despite our differences. This essence is especially poignant given her pandemic-era reflections: the isolation, the pause on performances, and the life-changing experience of becoming a parent, all of which breathe an intimate, personal authenticity into the music.

Opening with the lush “Comes Love,” Skonberg’s expressive voice and trumpet lead to a solid arrangement that captures the sophisticated tone of the city. Her interpretation feels delightfully organic, capturing the flirtatious spirit of the jazz standard but with a confident twist. Each of her vocal phrases flows naturally into the next, her tone alluring and grounded—a skillful blend of respect for tradition and staying true to one’s voice. The rhythm section, anchored by New Orleans drum legend Herlin Riley, establishes the album’s communal energy and will inspire you to listen to it.

In “Sweet Pea,” Skonberg draws from Amos Lee’s roots-infused sensibility. This cover exemplifies her genre-blending, delivering a soulful homage to jazz and contemporary pop. Riley’s rhythmic subtleties are grounded in the jazz tradition. Pianist Chris Pattishall’s lush accompaniment enhances the ambiance.

“Beautiful Boy” is a tender cover of John Lennon’s lullaby. For Skonberg, now a new parent, this song has an autobiographical resonance. Her vocal phrasing reflects the awe and vulnerability of parenthood. The arrangement tips its hat to Neal Hefti’s “Lil’ Darlin’,” seamlessly melding jazz heritage with the universal theme of parental love. As she delivers lines like “Out on the ocean, sailing away,” Skonberg’s voice floats, embodying a nurturing warmth that can only come from deeply felt experience.

Then there are Skonberg’s originals and compositions that, while contemporary, flow alongside the album’s standards. “Elbow Bump,” conceived during the early months of the pandemic, pays homage to the social complexities of isolation. The track’s vibrant second-line groove captures the longing for connection, with the New Orleans brass band aesthetic serving as a backdrop for Skonberg’s playful melody. It’s a track that begs to be heard live, carrying the kind of communal joy that can’t be replicated in isolation. “In the House,” another Skonberg original, pulls inspiration from Sidney Bechet’s robust, emotionally charged style. With Don Vappie on guitar and banjo, the piece nods to the historical essence of New Orleans jazz while Skonberg’s trumpeting soars, her tone pure yet laden with intention—a raw and refined sound.

A truly delightful facet of What It Means is its lineup of New Orleans jazz stalwarts. The inclusion of bassist Grayson Brockamp, whose contributions were first recommended by Riley, provides a grounding presence; each bass line is crafted to support and propel the music. Vappie’s contributions on guitar and banjo bring an authenticity that only someone steeped in New Orleans tradition could provide, his playing evoking the city’s storied history while blending with Skonberg’s sensibility. Aurora Nealand’s soprano saxophone adds a dynamic element on “Petite Fleur,” a song that evokes Sidney Bechet with striking respect and joy. Her tone, rich and emotive, is a perfect foil to Skonberg’s trumpet, creating a musical dialogue that transports listeners straight to a lively Bourbon Street.

The duet with Gabrielle Cavassa on Van Morrison’s “Days Like This” reflects Skonberg’s deep understanding of phrasing and vocal harmony. Cavassa’s voice complements Skonberg’s beautifully, the two blending effortlessly over Riley’s steady, unobtrusive rhythm. The choice of this track speaks to Skonberg’s careful consideration of each song on the album—not merely as a collection of tunes but as chapters in a narrative of resilience, hope, and joy.

As a whole, What It Means is a record that celebrates the timelessness of jazz while acknowledging Skonberg’s love letter to New Orleans. Here, she balances tradition with contemporary insight, her arrangements breathing new life into familiar standards and delivering original works with finesse. What It Means is an invitation to enjoy the rhythm of life as Skonberg presents an album that resonates with the spirit of New Orleans jazz.