Few ladies enter the jazz field fully committed to the traditional jazz field. Bria Skonberg jumps in with both feet in terms of vocals and trumpet playing. This latest album has her completely comfortable in the pre-modern era, and it feels great.
Her voice has a dash of Peggy Lee to it, warm yet cool as she coos “Don’t Be That Way” to a Cuban groove and woody clarinet accompaniment and then blows perfect Crescent City. She’s luscious with Teddy Wilson-styled piano and Norvo’d vibes on “You’re Getting To Be a Habit With Me,” and slithers along on “From This Moment On” .
She also has chops, as she delivers the moody vocal goods along with the nimble bass work and vibes on “Malaguena” which swaggers with delight and glows like a full moon on as the piano glissandos on “Midnight Sun.” She makes retro seem progressive!