BÖSS is a new Icelandic quartet featuring an unconventional mix of Icelandic veteran musicians – the hardest working guitarist in Iceland Mikael Máni Ásmundarson, who also plays in the local bands Mikael Máni and Tendra, and also plays bass in BÖSS; prog-rock and metal drummer Hrafnkell Örn Guðjónsson, who also plays in the local band Agent Fresco; church organist Þórður Sigurðarson, who also plays in the local band Rock Paper Sisters also plays the piano; and screenwriter and sax player Birkir Blær Ingólfsson, known as the creator of the local series The Minister.
BÖSS was formed accidentally when there was a need for a band to play a concert at Skuggabaldri, a jazz concert venue in the center of Reykjavík. The joyful experience led to the recording of Fagnaðarerindi (A cause for celebration or a gospel), the debut album of BÖSS. The band insists that all the pieces were composed effortlessly with the four band contributing ideas. BÖSS adds that the album is dedicated to the simple joy of playing music.
BÖSS is clearly not a typical Nordic jazz band. The diverse backgrounds and versatility of its musicians make it a kind of uplifting and unpretentious prog-fusion-jazz, far from being nostalgic or relying on the familiar clichés of dark, reserved, or melancholic Nordic jazz. BÖSS’ gospel offers rich and vivid, playful and dramatic stories that highlight the camaraderie of this band and the fun it had composing and playing the music.
Eyal Hareuveni
Mikael Máni Ásmundarson (guitar, bass), Hrafnkell Örn Guðjónsson (drums), Þórður Sigurðarson (piano, organ), Birkir Blær Ingólfsson (saxophone)
