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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2017)
FL O RE NC E Skonberg shakes up the jazz world Artist fuses her love of classic jazz with contemporary rhythm COURTESY PHOTO SEAcoast Entertainment brings jazz musician Bria Skonberg to Florence Events Center Sunday, Feb. 26, at 4 p.m. “ ince its beginning 36 years ago, SEAcoast Entertainment has brought top quality performers to Florence audiences,” said Linda Gargis, SEA board vice-president. SEAcoast Entertainment invites the coastal community to celebrate Mardi Gras a couple of days early with Bria Skonberg’s New Orleans Jazz Band dur- ing a Sunday afternoon tea dance Feb. 26 at 4 p.m. at Florence Events Center. Skonberg is a specialist in classic American hot jazz. She leads her band, wails on the trumpet, and beautifully vocalizes jazz standards with energy and pizzazz. A Canadian singer, trumpeter, and songwriter, Skonberg is described by The Wall Street Journal as one of the “most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation.” Recognized as one of “25 for the Future” by DownBeat magazine (Summer 2016), Skonberg is newly signed to Sony Music Masterworks’ OKeh Records, and released her debut LP, simply titled BRIA, in September 2016. Wielding a unique blend of modern- S day pop sensibility and sizzling musi- cianship, Skonberg aims for a sense of allure on the new collection. She credits producer Matt Pierson with helping her create music that is both curious and exotic, playing with tension and storytelling. Elite jazz chops, artfully mixed with worldly rhythms and contemporary songwriting, result in a sophisticated pop sound closely resembling that of Michael Bublé, Diana Krall and Harry Connick Jr. Her original tunes include the tango “Curious Game,” the bluesy instrumen- tal “Down in the Deep” and the Brazilian-flavored “How Can It Be” — a reflection of the sampling era. Noted as a Millennial “Shaking Up the Jazz World,” according to Vanity Fair, Skonberg is a self-described “small town girl” from Chilliwack, British Columbia. She left for Vancouver straight out of high school and earned a degree in Jazz Trumpet Performance from Capilano University. But even as she absorbed the deep knowledge and disciplined work habits needed for a jazz career, she was also hustling hard to book her two bands. While in university she juggled working every weekend, traveling to festivals and shows, plus cramming in schoolwork — all while on the road. When not traveling for her own gigs, she was building up her stage-show chops with Dal Richards, Vancouver’s King of Swing. Playing at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver capped off this exciting period, with Skonberg featured at the Paralympics opening ceremony. To date, Bria has performed at some 100 festivals worldwide and has received numerous awards. And SEAcoast Entertainment has even more to offer this season, with shows continuing in March, April and May. SEA is providing Florence fans of brass with a much-needed dose of ener- gy with the Dallas Brass on Wednesday, March 29, at 7 p.m. The quintet masters all aspects of the brass repertoire: classical, Dixieland, swing, show tunes and more as they pro- vide a musical travelogue through American instrumental history. On Wednesday, April 26, at 7 p.m., SEA presents “Barrage 8,” a high-ener- gy dose of modern string instruments and movement. Their innovative stage performance blends wonderfully with their musical talent — and strings like you have never heard them before. On Wednesday, May 24, at 7 p.m., it will be an incomparable night for keyboard fans: dueling pianos when “The Piano Caméléons” will ring out the SEA season on two grand pianos, expertly manned by a pair of virtuoso pianists. They revisit great classic pieces with interpretations touched by traditional jazz, world beat and other influences. It will be a spectacle for the eyes, ears and soul. Tickets for all of SEAcoast Entertainment’s shows can be purchased at the Florence Events Center box office, 715 Quince St., or by phone at 541-997-1994 during regular business hours. Artist profiles, show times, links to video clips, and more are available at www.SEAcoastEA.org. F E B RU A R Y 2 0 1 7 • A r t s & En te r t a i n me n t • C OAST C ENTRAL • 7
