Multi-talented Emerging Artist BRIA SKONBERG Makes U.S. Debut With SO IS THE DAY On Random Act Records

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Bria Skonberg, Female Vocalist, ictor Goines, Jeff Lashway, John Pizzarelli, Kelly Friesen, MICHAEL DEASE, Randy Johnston, Roland Guerrero, Trumpet, Ulysses Owens Jr., Wycliffe Gordon

Bria Skonberg, SO IS THE DAY

LISTEN TO EXCLUSIVE STREAMING TRACKS FROM SO IS THE DAY

CLICK HERE TO READ AN ALBUM REVIEW IN NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Less than two years ago, trumpeter-vocalist-composer-bandleader Bria Skonberg uprooted from Western Canada and arrived in New York City. Lured by the music and those who play it so well, the already-seasoned musician hoped to thrive and to learn in the jazz mecca. The city landscape and abundance of clubs proved to be a stark contrast to the hobby farm Skonberg was raised on in Chilliwack, British Columbia, but the young musician dove in head-first, ready to make an impact with her unique, modern take on the traditional jazz and hot swing the scene was built on. Soon, in the spring of 2011, she found herself performing a highly successful first solo concert at New York’s renowned Symphony Space for the Sidney Bechet Society. During the performance, Skonberg announced that one of her resolutions for the year was to record a new album of mostly original material. With nine freshly-minted originals and three equally intriguing interpretations of well-known pieces, So Is The Day, her debut for Random Act Records, is that album.

Andrew Swift -][- Swift Kick – [D Clef Records, 2012 | Review] –

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Andrew Swift, Arranger, Composer, Curtis Steward, Drums, Dwayne Burno, Eric Alexander, Evan Sherman, George Cables, Jeb Patton, Matt Garrison, MICHAEL DEASE, Ryan Kisor, Sharel Cassity, Tim Mayer, Tony the Hawk, Wycliffe Gordon

Andrew Swift, Swift Kick

Andrew Swift -][- Swift Kick – [D Clef Records, 2012 | Review] –

Where do I begin? Let’s get right to it, imagine this a young kid with chopsticks, pots and pans with a sense of rhythm was the interlude, vision and seed planted by drummer, composer, and educator Andrew Swift. With his debut “Swift Kick,” you’ll find this body of music immersed in the womb of traditional jazz yet it’s intertwined with the integral musings of modern jazz unveiled by the folks at D Clef Records.

Like many aspiring musicians Andrew started his quest off at an early age. In fact, as a fifth grader he began in a new school and joined the school’s band program. Andy pursed his gift with persistence and paid off for him after a conversation with the band director Swift ultimately decided that he wanted to play drums and of course the rest is history.

JAZZ LEGACY PRODUCTIONS SET TO RELEASE GRACE BY EMERGING TROMBONIST MICHAEL DEASE ON JULY 6

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Jazz, MICHAEL DEASE, Trombone

FEATURES ALL-STAR SUPPORTING CAST: CYRUS CHESTNUT, RUFUS REID, GENE JACKSON, CLAUDIO RODITI, ROY HARGROVE, ERIC ALEXANDER AND MARK WHITFIELD AMONG OTHERS

Michael Dease - Grace

In just seven years on the New York scene, trombonist Michael Dease has appeared on over fifty albums as a sideman, performed in every major jazz venue, and worked alongside many of the giants of this music. And now his latest CD, Grace – Dease’s fourth as a leader and his first for Jazz Legacy Productions – affords him a much deserved opportunity to display his musical range and versatility as an instrumentalist, thanks to the vision of bassist, producer, and the label’s founder, John Lee.

“I met John at the Village Vanguard in September 2007,” Dease recalls, “when I was playing with Slide Hampton’s World of Trombones, and since then we’ve been working closely together. He asked me to join his band, Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars. Then I was producing a recording for saxophonist Sharel Cassity – I also participated as a sideman on that record – and John was interested in having her as a young artist for his new label Jazz Legacy Productions. When we were gearing up for Sharel’s CD release in 2009 he asked me if I would be another one of the JLP’s young artists. Of course I was very excited to have John produce my album, with his vast experience and insight.”