The Reyk­javik Big Band

The Reykjavik Big Band was founded in February 1992 and enjoys a long and rich history. The main driving force behind the creation of the band was Sæbjörn Jónsson, who was also the band’s main conductor until the year 2000. The Reykjavik Big Band has always endeavoured to seek varied projects. In addition to new music, both domestic and foreign, the band has performed historical programmes connected to individual composers and bands. It has also fostered extensive and successful collaborations with many singers from the Icelandic pop world.

The Reykjavik Big Band has received rave reviews for its performances. The band won the Icelandic Music Award in 2005 as best jazz performers of the year and in 2011 for jazz album of the year. The Big Band has released five albums under its own name, in addition to recording several albums with other artists, such as Bubbi Morthens and the Sálin band.

The Reykjavik Big Band is sponsored by the City of Reykjavík and the Icelandic Music Fund.

The Reykjavik Big Band celebrates its 30th anniversary

The Reykjavik Big Band celebrated its 30th anniversary with a big concert in Eldborg last sunday evening. Composer and conductor Maria Schneider, one of the brightest stars of the big band world and multiple Grammy Award winner, conducted her own works in a spectacular concert. On the occasion of the anniversary, it was announced about the future contract of the Norwegian Army with the state and the city.

In a three-decade career, The Reykjavik Big Band has performed well over three hundred concerts and released 10 CDs. Numerous guest conductors have worked with the band over the years, both foreign and national. The group has chosen a wide range of projects; premiered a lot of new Icelandic music, played historically important big band music, played for children and collaborated with numerous actors from the field of Icelandic pop music. The group has received the Icelandic Music Awards many times.