Sigurður Flosason: 'Eyjafjallajökull was an inspiration'
January 31, 2012 at 10:32am
It's high time a jazzer took the Spotlight, and who better than the fine saxophonist Sigurður Flosason, one of the most prominent jazz talents in Iceland? His excellent album 'Land And Sky' with Cathrine Legardh was nominated for a Danish Music Award last year and was hailed as one of the best jazz releases of 2011 on the respected Jazznyt blog. We catch up with Sigurdur, who will be playing in Stockholm at the end of February, and discuss everything (well, almost everything) from Bill Murray, New York and Eyjafjallajökull's effect on 'Land And Sky' to Flosason's hopes and predictions for Icelandic jazz in 2012.
Congratulations for the success of 'Land And Sky'! Tell us about the making of that release? We gather it was made in a truly transatlantic style...
Cathrine and I met by chance a couple of years ago. We exchanged CDs and found that we liked each other. We started experimenting composing together – not actually in the flesh, but by sending lyrics and music across the Atlantic; words, sound files and printed music. There was even singing and piano playing over the phone. We performed in both countries and finally recorded in Copenhagen.
It's interesting that, considering the title, the now notorious Eyjafjallajökull erupted while you were making the album - how did that affect things?
For one thing Cathrine was stuck here in Iceland for a few days and a lot of creativity was unleashed during those few days. Also, I think the eruption was an inspiration for Cathrine and her lyric-writing. I’ve lived with eruptions all my life - about one every 2,5 years. That makes for close to 20 eruptions in my lifetime. Do the scary age math if you dare!
What is your favourite track on the album, if it is possible to choose?
It’s hard to say. It’s embarrassing to admit, but I actually like the whole thing quite a lot and I like different tunes for different reasons. I really like a tune called “Morning in May”. That one was written while Cathrine was stuck here during the eruption. She e-mailed me a lyric she had written really fast. I immediately heard something in the words and wrote the tune in less than an hour. That really was a eruption. And it’s actually one of the longer and more complicated tunes on the record. The creative process is unpredictable. That’s one of the great things about it.
You studied in New York, which must have been an amazing experience considering the rich jazz history there - how did that change your perspective as an Icelandic jazz musician, if at all?
New York was amazing. But before that I spent 5 years studying in Indiana – so 6 years in the States in all. That has to change ones perspective a bit. Still, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how. Maybe I gained a deeper understanding of the jazz tradition and the high standards that the best American players have. However I had some experience before I went there and I’ve developed since. So, my stay in the States is only a part of the picture. Music is a universal thing and I strive for a personal voice as a player and composer, drawing on inspirations from both sides of the Atlantic.
What is the best thing about the Icelandic jazz scene? And are there any ways in which you would like to see it change?
I think we have an amazing number of good players here and the stylistic variety is surprising. There really is no one national style, maybe just a color or slight flavor. I really like these facts. The main problem is that our home market is too small. So, the only thing I wish for is more exposure of Icelandic jazz talent on the global stage.
We're working on it! What do you think 2012 holds for Icelandic jazz, what are your predictions and hopes?
Just more exposure for all of us. That’s both my hope and prediction.
Who is your jazz icon?
No one in particular and all the usual suspects. I’ve listened a lot and I like a lot of different stuff, new and old. To name a couple I love Miles Davis for always putting together the best bands and making many of the best records. I deeply respect John Coltrane for his endless quest and everlasting search - it’s inspiring and humbling at the same time. I could go on......
And finally! If there was ever to be a 'Round Midnight'-style film made about you, who would you want to play yourself?!
Bill Murray – not because he looks like me (thank god) but because I like his acting and I love the dry sense of humor. The esteemed American bass player Eddie Gomez told my I look strikingly like the old British actor Charles Laughton (1899-1962). I’m still trying to recover from that one. One of Laughton’s most famous roles was Quasimodo, the hunchback of Notre Dame...
Sigurdur Flosason plays the following dates in Stockholm, Sweden this month:
February 23rd: Hotel Hellsten Jazz Concert Series
February 24 /25: Glenn Miller Cafe