Born: August 30, 1974 Primary Instrument: Piano
Agnar Már Magnússon began musical studies at a young age. After graduating from the FÍH school of music in Reykjav-k and Conservatorium van Amsterdam in the Netherlands, he studied with Larry Goldings and other private instructors in New York. There, he also was introduced to many known jazz musicians and that led to the recording of his first CD titled 01 with drummer Bill Stewart and bassist Ben Street. O one was released in and distributed around the world by the Spanish record company Fresh Sound-New Talent. Since then, Agnar has released many CDs, most of which have been nominated for the Icelandic Music Awards. These include Tónn - tómið, a live recording of a piano duet with Ástvaldur Traustason, and two CDs with the B3 trio, Fals and Kör, where Agnar plays a Hammond organ. Agnar also released original music to the play N-tjánhundruð, which was staged in the Icelandic National Theatre in 2005, Me for You with singer Kristjana Stefánsdóttir and Atlantshaf with a quartet featuring an all Icelandic lineup. In 2007 Agnar made his second solo album Láð where he creates new music based on old Icelandic themes. Láð has received critical acclaim and an award at the Icelandic music awards. Agnar has now released his third trio record, Kvika featuring Bill Stewart and Ben Street. Agnar has received the Outstanding Musicianship Award from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and made it to the semi-finals in the Martial Solal international jazz pianist competition in Paris 2002. He has arranged music for CDs and musicals, worked with and written for The Reykjavik Big Band, played in concerts in Iceland and abroad and been musical director in theatre. Agnar has worked with among others: Ingrid Jensen, Seamus Blake, Chris Cheek, Ben Street, Bill Stewart, Drew Gress and John Hollenbeck.
