Guitar Islancio
The Guitar Islancio trio is made up of guitarist Björn Thoroddsen, guitarist Gunnar Thordarson and double bass player Jón Rafnsson. Together since the autumn of 1998, the trio has played numerous concerts, both in Iceland and abroad. They have previously published four albums, all of them containing jazzed up Icelandic folk songs which have received rave reviews and become best-sellers. The trio has played all over the world, including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Germany, the USA, Spain and Great Britain. Guitar Islancio was nominated as the musical group of the City of Reykjavík in both 2000 and 2001. A wide variety of renowned musicians have played with the trio including French violinist Didier Lockwood, French guitarist Sylvain Luc, Danish clarinettist Jørgen Svare and Canadian trumpet player Richard Gillis.

Jón Rafnsson, Gunnar Þórðarson and Björn

Over the centuries the Icelandic folksong has both sculpted the national spirit of Iceland and been the most important pillar of its contemporary culture. Modern composers have willingly allowed the ancient melodies and chords to influence them, using these extensively in their compositions. Guitar Islancio offers us music which has been kept alive and well nourished in Iceland by handing it down through the ages from person to person. The melodies have no doubt undergone some changes on their journey through the passages of time, but this is, of course, the norm for all aspects of society. The trio spins the threads of the old Icelandic songs and presents them to us in new jazz coloured robes. The simple old melody line receives a new modern twist and reminds us that the ancient roots of Icelandic culture are still alive and active in our contemporary society.