Review highlights of my album releases
Press reviews in German 🇩🇪 here
Hope (2025)
“Hope is not simply an album; it is a quiet triumph, a testament to art’s enduring power to transform pain into something truly luminous. Each note feels deliberately placed, building a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. It invites you to lean in, to listen closely, and to find your reflections within its beautiful depths.”
“Not from ECM but very much in Eicher’s house style, this outstanding set by Icelandic pianist Ingi Bjarni SkĂşlason also succeeds in avoiding pejorative stereotypes“
“an outstanding pianist composes melodies that stick and brings an excellent drummer, bassist and guitarist to the set, together they create an atmospheric album – with the best recommendations.”
“With each album, Ingi Bjarni reinvents himself through subtlety and continues to captivate.”
“Svävande och en renhet i klangen som känns inbjudande och vacker. Här finns en intressant och begĂĄvad pianist med en naturlig förmĂĄga att skapa och blanda sitt uttryck till en poetisk klangvärld”
This is a prime example of contemporary improvised jazz, built on interestingly defined themes, harmonic structures, and exciting arrangements. The instrumentalists who create this music enrich it with wonderful improvisational ideas – each of them has space for long and captivating solo parts. An album that is definitely worth listening to!
Fragile Magic (2024)
“Attentive listening between the participants is evident throughout, no matter the differences in tone from one piece to the next; improvisation is likewise present yet never spirals out of control. It goes without saying that the chemistry between the three–their “fragile magic,” as it were–is in abundant supply too.”
“Throughout this album, this trio from the North demonstrates a beautiful unity that carries this sensitive, both familiar and unique music, to a very high level of quality”
“The compositions reveal a depth born from the sensitive interaction among the musicians, captivating jazz enthusiasts. Recommended!”
“After listening to three tracks my thoughts are: What if Debussy or Satie played jazz”
Farfuglar (2023)
”the essence of this music lies in its open yet beautifully attuned and structured group awareness and interplay.”
“A wonderful album that captures the North as it sounds when mixed with the various musical influences of this world”.
”very interesting piece of music, with a unique sound and unusual innovative approach to improvisation, which is almost impossible to find these days.”
Lessons (2021)
”As I’ve remarked before, this intriguingly gifted pianist has for some time now shown an impressive ability to shape his own world, his own poetics. He is blessed with strongly interactive and sensitive hands, a near-classical touch as pleasing as his ever-patient and assured sense of time”Â
 ”..the pianist’s ten compact elaborations on Lessons harbor their own unique depths and colors, setting Ingi Bjarni apart from his peers.”
Tenging (2019)
“Tenging is a highly accomplished work of art that flows with ease and coherence….Ingi Bjarni is deserving of wide recognition for his skills as a composer as well as his perceptive piano playing.”Â
“a suite of genre-bridging music of captivating poetic ambience, rooted in an overall subtlety of melodic figure and rhythmic interaction….A distinctive and rewarding album, which impresses more and more with each hearing.”Â
”Het brede kleurenpalet doet inderdaad Scandinavisch aan, met warme lyrische melodieĂ«n en harmonieĂ«n, dynamisch, de ruimte opzoekend en sound-scapeachtig. De synergietussen de muzikanten is sterk”Â
“Their sound, reminiscent of the Northern spirit, not only resonates well with ECM but also showcases the individuality of the members.”
Fundur (2018)
“Ingi Bjarni Skúlason fluidly melds the extreme landscapes of his native Iceland with an innate, resilient melodicism that shifts willfully within the body of his music like a slideshow of the wild Icelandic terrain.”
“..a particular diligence, an endeavor for relevance, and a restful sound makes listening a pleasure…Here is a good piano trio from Iceland“ (translated)
“So although achieving prominence in the acoustic jazz piano trio arena can be a challenge, here the co-ordination of propulsion, contemplation and memorable hook is delivered with panache to a receptive ear.”
“This is Nordic jazz of the most beautiful kind. Ingi Bjarni uses his sense of lyricism to create melodies, where the Nordic jazz language is as warm and comfortable as a hot spring in Iceland.” (translated) –
Skarkali (2015)
“His playing is clear and crisp, with each note given deep meaning. Bobo Stenson comes naturally to mind in the space given each note. This deep, clear sound is echoed by the harmonies chosen, which sound simple, but are full of ambiguity. Although his music is highly emotional, it is constrained by a deep intelligence which produces a wonderful sense of playful control.”
“Skarkali (translated, Loud noises) carries a depth of invention, verve and delicacy which sets it apart from any run-of-the-mill piano trio expectation. Preconceptions happily disintegrate as this nine-track session unfolds, offering a measured blend of folksy, tuneful accessibility and sparky, creative unpredictability.”Â
“They have made a good record with a well-balanced mixture of melancholy, good harmonies and a small dose of rock rhythms” (translated) –
“Skarkali is filled with an emotional tone and spacious, relaxed sound while also being firm and clear. The musical magic contained on the album makes it extremely pleasant to listen to. Skarkali is a very good contemporary jazz album!” (translated)
“..there is boldness and confidence within their power, unexpected harmonic and melodious streets. Magic, slow and melodious splendor all strive for an escape from reality! Wonderful lyricism! (translated)Â