Born: May 25, 1972 Primary Instrument: Saxophone
Jóel Pálsson has been involved in music since early age. He studied clarinet from age 8, but turned to the tenor saxophone and jazz studies at 15. After finishing music school in Iceland he enrolled Berklee College of Music in Boston from which he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1994 with a BM dregree. Jóel has appeared on over 100 cd's and performed in various concerts and festivals in Europe, USA, Canada and China.
Jóel has recorded five CD's as a leader: Prim (Naxos, 2000), Klif (OMI Records, 2001), Septett (OMI Records, 2002) , Varp (Flugur, 2006) and Horn (Flugur, 2010) in addition to duo projects Stikur (w. Sigurdur Flosason, Bad Taste, 2003) and Skuggsja (w. Eythor Gunnarsson, Flugur, 2004).
Jóel has been awarded five times at the Icelandic music awards for his albums, thereof four awards for Jazz album of the year.
Jóel is nominated for the Nordic Council Music Prize 2011
