Samúel Jón Samúelsson Big Band

Samúel Jón Samúelsson Big Band - bio

The Samúel Jón Samúelsson Big Band was originally formed in 2000 by Samúel for a set of live performances in Reykjavík. They play Samúels original funk/afro/jazz music. They released “Legoland” a live recording from their debut concert in 2000 that year and played at the Reykjavik Jazzfestival.

in 2007 the band was reformed for a new record called Fnykur (old Icelandic word for something stinky, smelly or funky) featuring 10 tracks of original funk and groove music.

Fnykur is scedulled for release in Japan in 2008.

“The waves of Cinematic sounds are not unlike the Love Unlimited Orchestra had been conducted by Jimmy Page rather than Barry White”
Jon Kirby - Waxpoetics

“Some of the best aspects here are in the rhythms -- warm Fender Rhodes, organ, clavinet, and moog -- all bubbling nicely next to a subdued bassy bottom, alongside some interesting percussion too! The funkiest tracks have a 70s soundtrack appeal -- but there's way more going on here than just simple copycat modes -- and Samuelsson brings a depth of color, tone, and timing to both his writing and arranging on the set. “
Dusty Grooves

The Samúel Jón Samúelsson Big Band has 18 members and is avalible for concerts around the world

Here is were we played in Iceland in 2007:

The Rite of Spring Festival (World Music festival)
Kjarvalsstaðir and ásmundarsafn (Reykjavik Artmuseum)
Reykjavik Jazzfestival w. Jimi Tenor & Antibalas
Iceland Airwaves – Reykjavík
Edinborgarhusið – Ísafjörður
Culture Night Festival – Akureyri
Culture Night Festival – Reykjavík
Tour around Iceland in a bus with a filmcrew (DVD release scedulled in 2008)

2008
Hótel Borg (apríl)
Hammond Hátíð Djúpavogi (apríl)
Abconcerts – Brussels – Belgíu (mai)
Moers festival – Þýskalandi (mai)
Petrol –antwerpen - Þýskalandi (mai)
Jazzhátíð Reykjavíkur (BítBox á Glaumbar)

2009
17. júni (lokaatriði á Arnarhóli)
Jazzhátíð Reykjavíkur (Kaffi Rósenberg)
Réttir/Reykjavik Round Up (Nasa)
Kaffi Rósenberg (okt/nóv)
Þjóðhátíð Gíneu
Iceland Airwaves (Nasa)
Jazzkjallarinn (nóv)
Berlin JazzFest (nóv)
Tónlistarhúsið fær nafnið Harpa (des)
Jólahátíð Kramhússins (Íslenska Óperan des)
Jólaball MH (Nasa, des)

2010

28. mai - Nattjazz – Bergen – Noregur (www.nattjazz.no)

Samuel has since 1998 been one of leading members of the Icelandic funk unit JAGÚAR. The group has released 5 albums toured trough Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Zwiss, UK and USA including gigs at Londons Jazzcafe and The Summerstages festival in New York. In 2004 the band opened up for James Brown in Reykjavik.

Apart from working with Jaguar, Samuel has worked as an arranger and session man for various Icelandic artists such as Sigur Rós, Mugison, Reykjavík Big Band, Trabant, Mezzoforte, Tómas R. Einarsson and long list of local Icelandic act.

contact:

Samúel Jón Samúelsson
SJS Music
Baldursgata 26
101 Reykjavík
Iceland
tel: +354 861 6098

sammi@jaguar.is
www.myspace.com/samminammi