Trumpeter and vocalist Bria Skonberg’s What It Means gets off to a terrific start on the jazz classic “Comes Love.” Herlin Riley‘s wonderfully rumbling drums dominate the first couple of bars before Skonberg steps in with her trumpet muted, adding to the slinky atmosphere. The leader, who is originally from British Columbia and now resides in New York, is well-paired on the “front line” with New Orleans’ own Aurora Nealand on soprano sax. Suddenly, the piano of Chris Pattishall, Skonberg’s longtime associate, rhythmically heads south of the border, and everyone’s onboard for the ride. The horns trade punctuated bars with Riley’s tonally Latin-tinged drum extravaganza. He doesn’t get the last “word” in however as Skonberg goes sky high for the final note.

That the album pays tribute to New Orleans is reflected in its title, a subtle abbreviation of the Louis Armstrong’s mega-hit, “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?” as well as the band being loaded with New Orleans musicians. Besides the artists named above, the group includes guitarist and banjoist Don Vappie, bassist Grayson Brockamp, saxophonist and clarinetist Rex Gregory plus appearances by sousaphonist Ben Jaffe, trombonist Ethan Santos and vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa.

Other well-articulated standards include another Satchmo number, a lively version of “Cornet Chop Suey” and an interesting take on Sidney Bechet’s “Petite Fleur” especially with Skonberg’s trumpet in the lead rather than the more typical soprano sax or clarinet. Dig Gregory’s bass clarinet here.

Skonberg takes several questionable departures by selecting Sonny Bono’s “The Beat Goes On,” that is neither classic or modern and could be considered by some to be a novelty number and Van Morrison’s “Days Like This,” which also doesn’t quite fit in.

She’s back on track on her own “Elbow Bump,” one of two originals on the album. With its modern era second line beat, laid down again by Riley, Skonberg’s bright trumpet leads the buckjump-ready parade. Here’s where Jaffe enters, providing the essential bottom on sousaphone.

On What It Means, Bria Skonberg blows trumpet as one who knows the spirited essence of New Orleans and the importance of being surrounded by musicians who get it down to their toes.

Bria Skonberg