The Reykjavik Jazz Festival breathes life back into the scene
The Reykjavík Jazz Festival is returning for its 30th edition from August 29th to September 5th, with eight days of celebration of the local jazz scene.
The Icelandic live music scene has been hit hard by the social distancing and gathering limitations brought about by the COVID-19 epidemic, but for many, it’s the lack of jazz that has been the most difficult to bear.
Before the start of the epidemic, jazz was ubiquitous in the city: enthusiasts could indulge almost every night of the week in many of the city’s venues, and jazz musicians had opportunities galore to practice their art and earn their living. But like most other musicians and performers, they have been unable to rely on gigs and tours to sustain themselves since lock-down started in Iceland last March. However, from the 29th of August to the 5th of September, the Reykjavík Jazz Festival is coming to break this long silence and breathe life back to the scene, while celebrating its 30 year anniversary.
Over its 30 year history, the festival has grown into a respected showcase of both Icelandic and international jazz, both bringing revered international artists to the island and casting Icelandic artists into the international spotlight. With this year’s situation leading to fewer international acts taking part in the festival, artistic director and general manager Jón Ómar Árnason took the opportunity to focus on celebrating the local scene. This year’s programme features Icelandic jazz legends like Annes, Sunna Gunnlaugs, Anna Gréta Sigurðardóttir and Tómas R. Einarsson, experimental projects Dalalæða and OKUMA, as well as up-and-coming artists such as singers Rebekka Blöndal & Marína Ósk and bass player and composer Ingibjörg Turchi. Attendees will notice that many instrumentalists take part in more than one of those acts, as the Icelandic Jazz scene is as collaborative and effervescent as it is small.
Celebrated New-York based French pianist Romain Collin will be one of the few international artists present this year, and will play a solo performance in Fríkirkjan on Monday. Norwegian improv jazz trio Parallax will not be able to attend as expected, but will nonetheless showcase their new album with Icelandic guitarist and composer Hafdís Bjarnadóttir through a partially pre-recorded performance on Sunday.
The current sanitary restrictions unfortunately limit the attendance of public events to 100 people, which will undoubtedly leave many wanting. However this edition is without a doubt a necessity for the jazz scene in these difficult times, and intends to carry on the tradition of the festival for years to come.
The festival’s 32 acts will take place over the span of 8 days on the various stages of Harpa concert hall, the Fríkirkjan church as well as the Reykjavík city hall. A selection of concerts will be recorded and later broadcasted on the National radio station RÚV
Visit reykjavikjazz.is for the full programme