Born: January 30, 1952 Primary Instrument: Keyboard
Ingvi Thor Kormaksson is an Icelandic musician. He’s been writing songs for the past 30 years and has to this day 11 LP's / CD's to his credit. Altogether; he has had more than 150 of his compositions recorded by various artists. He’s mostly written in the AC (adult contemorary) genre. Jazzy chord progressions, blues, bossanova and samba rhythms are often featured in his music but sometimes folk music traditions can also be heard. - JJ Soul Band is named after an Englishman, JJ Soul, who lived and worked in Iceland for several years but is now back in Oxford, UK. - Ingvi Thor and JJ are a songwriting team and together they founded the group in 1993. JJ Soul Band’s albums: , 'HUNGRY FOR NEWS' (1994), 'CITY LIFE' (1997), “REACH FOR THE SKY” (2202) “BRIGHT LIGHTS” (2008). Members of JJ Soul Band help with arranging and performing on Ingvi’s Icelandic albums where the music is often written to modern poetry by famous Icelandic authors. In the more pop oriented songs Ingvi works with Icelandic lyric writers. Popular Icelandic AC and jazz singers have appearead on Ingvi’s albums.
Awards:
INGVI THOR KORMÁKSSON: TONIGHT MY LOVE…(also called LOVE ME TONIGHT) – (Eivor Palsdottir / Gudrun Gunnars) Icelandic title: Í nótt (Eivor Palsdottir / Ellen Kristjans) by Ingvi Thor Kormaksson (music) and Fridrik Erlingsson (lyrics) 1. prize (latin category); Song Expo (Benelux International Song & Culture Festival), 2003 , 1. prize (instrumental / jazz category); UNISONG 2004, 1.prize (funk/latin/world); “3rd Overall Winner”; 100% Music Songwriting Contest, 2008 2. prize; “Runner Up” (World Music Category); John Lennon Songwriting Contest, 2004 Finalist (folk / country category); The UK Songwriting Contest, 2003 , Honorable Mention Awards (“World” category”); Billboard Song Contest, 2004 Available on 1st Smooth Jazz Avenue (Sony/BMG) and In Love With Jazz (QL Music) EVRÓVISION 1986-2003 (Skífan), 100% Sumarást (21 12 Culture Company), Kvöld í borginni (21 12 Culture Company), Gleðibankinn (Skífan), Glitra gullin ský –instrumental version- (Zonet) “WHEN YOU ARE NEAR” – 1) achievement Award, UNISONG 1998 - 2) honor award, USA Songwriting Competition 2001 - 3) finalist, Song of the Year Awards (nov. 2006)- instrumental/jazz/world category "THE MIRROR" - achievement Award, UNISONG, 2001 “I ALMOST TOUCHED YOU” (A götu), finalist, Unisong, 2001 (jazz category). “Í HÚSINU MÍNU ER ÞOKA” finalist, UNISONG, 2007 (non-english category) “Í HÚSINU MÍNU ER ÞOKA” USA Songwriting Contest, 2007 (Honorable Mention Award) Channel 1 Radio Song Contest, 1999; 2. prize: “VID DÖNSUM SAMBA” Ljósalagid 2004, finalist: “NÓTTIN HVÍSLAR” Kormaksson & Soul (JJ Soul Band) "CITY LIFE" (City Life) - 1. prize; R&B/Jazz category; USA Songwriting Competition, 1997. “ANGELIQUE” (Reach For The Sky) 1. prize; Jazz/Blues cat.; Pacific International Song Contest, 2005 “COOL TONIGHT” (Reach For The Sky) – 1st Place Award; SongPrize, 2004 "WATCH OUT" (Hungry For News) - 2. prize; the 4th Hastings International Songwriting Contest, 1996. "FIVE BELOW ZERO" (Hungry For News) - award of merit; South Pacific International Song Contest 1997 "ALTERED STATES" (City Life) - achievement award; UNISONG International Song Contest 1997 "CAN´T WAIT A LIFETIME" (Reach For the Sky) honor award; The Great American Song Contest, 2000. “THE TIMES WE’RE LIVING IN” (Reach For The Sky) – finalist; UK Songwriting Contest, 2002. “BETTER” (Reach For The Sky) – finalist; Unisong International Song Contest, 2003. “MOONBRIGHT – MOONLIGHT” (Reach For The Sky) – finalist (jazz&blues); UK Songwriting Contest, 2003. “COOL TONIGHT” (Reach For The Sky) – honorable mention award; Mid-Atlantic Song Contest, 2003 JJ SOUL BAND (album: Reach For The Sky) - Finalist (Blues/R&B); Independent Music Awards, 2004 “GETTING COLDER BY THE YEAR” (Bright Lights) Finalist / Nominee; LA Music Awards 2007; “REALLY WILD” (Bright Lights) Finalist / Nominee; Hollywood Music Awards 2008; “THAT KINDA MAN” (Bright Lights) Finalist 100% Music Songwriting Contest, 2008 “I’VE BEEN HAD AGAIN” (Bright Lights) Finalist (Jazz/Blues) UNISONG International Song Contest 2009 “BRIGHT LIGHTS” (Bright Lights) Finalist (Jazz/Blues) UNISONG International Song Contest 2009 “FRONT PAGE NEWS” (Bright Lights) – Finalist; IAMA, Intern. Accoustic Music Awards 2011 “FRONT PAGE NEWS” (Bright Lights) - Semi-finalist; Song Of The Year 2011. “I’VE BEEN HAD AGAIN” (Bright Lights) Semi-Finalist (Jazz/Blues) UK Songwriting Contest 2011.JJ SOUL BAND - HUNGRY FOR NEWS, 1994 – Music by ITK and JJ Soul. English lyrics by vocalist-extraordinaire, JJ Soul, said to be remindful of Tom Waits, Ray Charles and Joe Cocker. Some of Iceland’s finest musicians play in the band. Blues fused with light jazz and rock. “12 earlier works from this highly unique and original Icelandic group. Some exceptional songs including Dark Eyes and also the title track.” - Norman McCourt (An’ R Magazine, sept. 2002)
JJ SOUL BAND – CITY LIFE, 1997 – More blues/jazz-fusion but also latin flavours. The title song received 1. prize (R&B/jazz category) in The USA Songwriting Competition in 1997. “Excellent piece of highly original jazz, funk, rock, fusion, blues from Iceland. Also extremely strong lyrically it features UK singer JJ Soul. A second to nothing” - Norman McCourt (A’n’R Magazine, sept. 2002)
JJ SOUL BAND - CITY LIFE”From Iceland comes J.J. SJJJoul Band, which delivers an exciting ixture of Ja”J.J. Soul who founded the band in 1993 began his musical career as a drummer in English jazz bands and later as a singer in night clubs and cabarets. Except for one song (My Funny Valentine) all songs are original compositions co-written by keyboardist Ingvi Thor Kormaksson, who began his career in dance bands. The title song has already received first prize in the USA Songwriting Competition, 1997 in R & B/Jazz category and shines brilliantly amongst other interesting compositions with its open song structures, a quantity of illusions of musical-stylistic plates, groovy soul numbers, interrupted by a waltz with slide-guitar and accordion, a latin number “All the time in the World”, or the Jazz-fusion song “Same Day Service”. Over everything floats and successfully cuts through the husky voice of J.J. Soul, which resembles very much the “rusty” singing of Tom Waits. Also the guitarist Edvard Larusson is noticeable by his sovereign playing technique and “song serving” guitar solos. It's a fun CD to listen to, with its altogether no set musical direction that fits the category. Not without reason, the band has classified their music as “Blues (con!)fusion”. The overall sound quality is outstanding and although some of the songs are probably too smooth-arranged for a large market, I can strongly recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys a broad spectrum of music.” - Ralf Weber – New Jazz Society [www.RETROSPEC.de, 2000]
“(JJ Soul Band)…jazz/ pop with a fusion of blues and a touch of “commercial” — basically very good music!!!” - William Penn – dir.; Arizona University Recordings
“Entertaining and emotional. JJ Soul is a classy vocalist. Gives you goosebumps from head to toes. “ – Sveinn Gudjónsson (Morgunblaðið, 2002)
“There’s no band like the JJ Soul Band. The music is….jazzy with a strong bluesy feel. One of the best albums of the year.” - Ásgeir Tómasson (DV, 2002)
Enjoyable listening experience. No music lover should miss out on this one. - GRH – Dagur ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Reviews: JJ Soul Band - REACH FOR THE SKY The songs are well written, the musicianship is top notch and the production is outstanding. - Clay Philips – TEA South (Toronto) Great funky, jazz-blues sound. Lyrics are best described as “Cool!” - Metro
I work in the Music Industry so I hear a lot of music. The musicianship on this album is superb and the album as a whole is something different from the norm. Very enjoyable. Richard Jay - MusicBroker.net - Author of “'How To Get Your Music in Film & TV”
Original perspective of the blues that comes with a guarantee. A CD that sits better with every listening opportunity. Bosse Majling - Jefferson Blues Magazine (Sweden) Good entertainment. JJ’s vocals nice and warm. Blues and jazz flavoured music with a swing. Well written music and lyrics. This one will appeal to all those who like thoughtful and sophisticated music. Árni Matthíasson - Morgunbladid Timeless tunes that are difficult to categorize, diverse arrangements, JJ Soul’s deep baritone makes the music special. Asgeir Tomasson - Vikan, DV
Reviews JJ Soul Band - BRIGHT LIGHTS
I would describe the music as jazzpop and it could be associated with the music of bands like Steely Dan.The average blues lover will find it too smooth and sophisticated. Maybe they will have their point, but the fact is that I seldom heard more talented musicians gathered on one album. Also the arrangements and lyrics are top level, and sound tight, complicated and easy listening at one time Harold van Dorth, August 12th, 2008 - http://www.bobtjeblues.com
Bright Lights, the newest album from JJ Soul Band, is a nice combination of easy listening blues and adult contemporary pop-rock. There’s a little something for everyone in this album. With a stellar band and instrumentalists at hand, the boys from Iceland execute nicely. ..All in all, it’s a well-produced and recorded album. http://www.awakenmusic.blogspot.com (October 2008)
Well played and arranged, unimpeachable mixing…excellent musicianship… JJ Soul’s voice sounds great….top level blues/jazz/fusion album. Dagbjartur Gunnar Lúðvíksson – Monitor; 19/08/2008
The (musical) approach is characterized by artistic shrewdness and good taste. Bright Lights is a fine and solid album, unaffected and competent. Orri Hardarson – Morgunbladid, 9. aug. 2008
A very good album. Highly recommended VIKAN,, July 7th, 2008
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