Hafdis Bjarnadottir

Electric guitarist and composer Hafdís Bjarnadóttir was born in Reykjavik, Iceland on the 17th of August 1977. She debuted her instrumental music on graduating in jazz guitar performance from the FÍH School of Music, Iceland, in 2002. That same year saw the release of her first CD of all-original compositions, "Nú", on the Smekkleysa label (Engl.: Bad Taste Records). Hafdís finished her bachelor’s degree in composition from the Iceland Academy of the Arts in June 2007. Her bachelor piece, Risaedla fyrir kammersveit (Dinosaur for Chamber Orchestra), was debuted by the Icelandic CAPUT ensemble. In June 2009 she finished her master’s degree in composition at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, Copenhagen. In December 2009, Hafdís released her second solo album, JÆJA, which received critical acclaim and was nominated for the Iceland Music Awards. Hafdís has held numerous concerts of her own music in Iceland and overseas. "All distinction between high and low art, including between classical and contemporary music, are thrown out the window. Styles are mixed without the least concern, and definitions are completely ignored. (...) The songs are hard to fit into categories. (...) How about jazz-influenced acid pop with a tinge of classical Renaissance music and rock melodies? Or experimental rock/pop influenced by Beefheart and Zappa, still remaining radio-friendly, with a nod to jazz and modern classical music? Or perhaps chamber punk with a touch of jive? Or..." - Arnar Eggert Thorodssen, Icelandic daily newspaper Morgunbladid

Reykjavik, IS