Pianist Ingi Bjarni Skúlason released the quartet album Hope last year, and the album’s release concert will now take place at the Reykjavík Jazz Festival!

Joining Ingi Bjarni are guitarist Hilmar Jensson, drummer Magnús Trygvason Eliassen, and Swedish double bassist Anders Jormin. The music on Hope can be described as lyrical, while still leaving significant room for open improvisational passages within the compositions. Concert guests are encouraged to read more about the background of the album and its pieces here: ingibjarni.com/hope

The concert’s special guest is Swedish bassist Anders Jormin. It is safe to say that Anders is one of Europe’s leading double bassists. As a composer, he has released numerous albums of his own music, including recordings on the German label ECM Records. He has also performed with some of the world’s foremost jazz musicians, including Bobo Stenson, Lee Konitz, Charles Lloyd, Paul Motian, and Tomasz Stańko.

At the 2026 Icelandic Music Awards, Hope received a nomination for Jazz Album of the Year. In addition, the track “Slow Dance” from the album was nominated for Jazz Song of the Year. The album has received outstanding reviews both in Iceland and internationally.

Below is an excerpt from one of the reviews:

“Hope is not simply an album; it is a quiet triumph, a testament to art’s enduring power to transform pain into something truly luminous. Each note feels deliberately placed, building a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. It invites you to lean in, to listen closely, and to find your reflections within its beautiful depths.”
— All About Jazz (USA)