Ingi Bjarni Trio – Fragile Magic
Biography / The album
Icelandic artist Ingi Bjarni, whose full name is Ingi Bjarni Skúlason, is an improvising sound magician. He is both a pianist and composer, crafting enchanting tones and poetic melodies. In short, he creates his own kind of folk music with the freedom of expressiveness and space for both lyrical and free improvisation. Ingi Bjarni is praised for his unique sound and innovative approach to improvisation. As Jazz Journal (UK) notes, “this intriguingly gifted pianist has for some time now shown an impressive ability to shape his own world, his own poetics.” His compositions feature a strongly narrative style that reflects the individuality of his musical units, enabling him to tell stories through music.
Joining Ingi Bjarni in his trio are Bárður Reinert Poulsen from the Faroe Islands on double bass, and Icelandic drummer Magnús Trygvason Eliassen. The trio has performed at festivals like Nordic Jazz Comets, Jazzahead (club night), VetrarJazz, Copenhagen Jazz Festival, Reykjavík Jazz Festival, and more. Ingi Bjarni Trio was nominated for the Icelandic Music Awards as jazz performer of the year in 2018!
The source of music is mysterious. It’s like a hidden language that composers and musicians seek to unveil. Their task is to decode these glimpses of melodies and transform them into something understandable – into music. But to truly understand and tap into this source, one needs magic. When at their best, musicians are like wizards working with this substance, which is often elusive. This perspective on music creation was the inspiration for the album ‘Fragile Magic’ – which is the sixth album by Ingi Bjarni, and his third trio album.
Press highlights
“The interplay is of the highest order” – JazzLocal32.com (NZ)
“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.” – Textura (CA)
“The compositions reveal a depth born from the sensitive interaction among the musicians, captivating jazz enthusiasts. Recommended!” – Rainer Guérich (DE)
“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.” – Dragon Jazz (BE)
“it’s worth noting that the music is not necessarily piano-driven throughout, indicating an evolution in their approach that is intriguing to witness. There are also rugged tracks that overturn the stereotypical image of Iceland, making it worth listening without preconceptions” – Jazz.In (JP)
OLDER ALBUMS
“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.” All About Jazz
“..a particular diligence, an endeavor for relevance, and a restful sound makes listening a pleasure…Here is a good piano trio from Iceland“ – Jazzthetik
“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.” – London Jazz News