Skúli Sverrisson - 60!

Bassist Skúli Sverrisson has long been one of Iceland’s leading figures in jazz, improvisation and experimental music. He lived in New York for many years and has worked with artists including Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Allan Holdsworth, Blonde Redhead, Jóhann Jóhannsson and Hildur Guðnadóttir.

Skúli began his career as a bass player in legendary Icelandic groups such as Pax Vobis and the Guðmundur Ingólfsson Trio, while also earning recognition as a composer with a distinctive voice of his own. He has enjoyed fruitful collaborations with prominent figures in the jazz world, most notably on acclaimed duo albums with guitarist Bill Frisell and saxophonist Óskar Guðjónsson. Skúli has also composed music for film and theatre, produced and directed recording projects, appeared on hundreds of recordings, and taken on countless other roles across the musical landscape. He is one of the founders of Mengi, Reykjavík-based experimental music and arts venue, and has served as its artistic director since its inception.

Skúli celebrates his 60th birthday this October, and to mark the occasion he will be honoured at the opening concert of State of the Art. Festival organisers Magnús Jóhann, Bergur Þórisson and Bjarni Frímann will take to the stage to perform a selection of works spanning Skúli’s career, joined by the composer himself on bass. Singer Ólöf Arnalds will also make a special appearance. With such a rich body of work to draw from, there is no shortage of material — and perhaps Skúli will even cast some of his music in a new light for the occasion.

The concert takes place on 6 October at 8 PM at Fantasía, Austurstræti. Tickets are available at tix.is, and State of the Art festival passes are also available, granting admission to all concerts throughout the festival.

The full festival programme can be found at stateoftheartfestival.is.