Reykjavík Jazz Festival Turns 21!

The 2010 Reykjavík Jazz Festival celebrates its 21st annual program with fifteen days of jazz between August 14th and the 29th. The RJF program this year is to a large extent made up by the fine artists on the local Icelandic jazz scene. Although not a large scene (obviously, considering the population of 300,000) it is an exceptionally vibrant one, with a large percentage of players active on the international field.

Veterans like the members of super-group Mezzoforte have been regular participants for as long as the festival has been operating and newcomers like the K-Trio and Absolute Nonsense/Reginfirra (both winners of the Scandinavian Young Jazz Comets competition) are keeping that tradition alive. The international list is quite impressive too, including British pianist Django Bates and his Beloved Bird trio, Jean Marie Machado - a uniquely talented composer and pianist from France who sits at the crossroads of jazz, classical music and Mediterranean music - and Germany's Maria Babtist and Achim Kauffman.

A festival pass costs ISK 8000 (50 euros / $65) and can be bought at midi.is. If you can't make it this year, take solace in that two large showcase concerts will be broadcast on the internet from Studio Sýrland on Tuesday the 17th and 24th of August, both at 14.00 local time (GMT). More info on www.reykjavikjazz.is.