The annual Reykjavik Jazz Festival, supported by IMX (Icelandic Music Export), will be held this week in Iceland from August 29th and September 1st. The line-up is as follows:
Cutting-edge pianist / composer Uri Caine and his trio will open the festival with a diverse performance based on the standards of jazz as well as original compositions. Austurbær, August 29th, 20.00
Legendary saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi will appear in a trio led by pianist Eythor Gunnarsson from Icelandic jazz funk band Mezzoforte. Eythor’s trio will be joined by singer Ellen Kristjansdottir to present well-known Icelandic songs of Jon Muli Arnason. Domo, August 29th and 30th, 22.00
Faroese superstar Eivör Pálsdóttir will be singing her own haunting and intensely melodic songs with the Reykjavik Big Band. Austurbær, August 30th, 20.00
Icelandic piano prodigy Agnar Már Magnússon will lead a septet in new music deeply rooted in the Icelandic tradition. Icelandic jazz diva Kristjana Stefansdottir will appear for duets including everything from up-beat swing to low-down dirty blues. Idnó, August 30th, 21.00
Icelandic altosaxophonist / composer Sigurdur Flosason will present his new album Blair Skuggar (Blue Shadows) with his band, including never before heard songs performed by Egill Ólafsson and Ragnheidur Gröndal, with lyrics from Icelandic poet Adalsteinn Ásberg Sigurdsson. Idnó, August 31st, 20.00
Some of Iceland’s leading guitarists of the jazz and blues scene will perform together with Björn Thoroddsen and the American guitar legend Larry Coryell. Gaukurinn, August 31st 22.00
Pianoplayer Egill Benedikt Hreinsson will lead his quartet in standards and originals at restaurant Jómfrúin. September 1st, 15.00
Some of Iceland’s finest jazz musicians will appear at City Hall for an afternoon of music and mingling. City Hall, September 1st, 13.00 – 16.00 (free admission)
Funkmaster Uncle Sam (of Icelandic band Jaguar) will lead the final evening with funky good times, music and movement. Special guest include Sam’s Funk Big Band and Finland’s own Jimi Tenor. Also on the bill are New York afrobeat masters Antibalas. Nasa, September 1st, 22.00
For more information on the Reykjavik Jazz Festival, including links to the performing artists, visit: www.icelandicmusic.is