Mon Jun 17
Sara Magnusdottir Hammond Organ Trio pays tribute to the music of Jimmy Smith and Jack McDuff
Sara Magnusdottir is a up and coming Hammond organ player, pianist and big band composer. Raised in Iceland, but based in the New Jersey for the past 5 years, where she got her Bachelor‘s in Jazz Performance, and is getting her Master's in Jazz Composition and Arranging at William Paterson University.
Sara cultivated a passion for the Hammond Organ while studying with Hammond Organ veteran Mike LeDonne. The instrument‘s power, versatility and soulfulness captured Sara‘s heart and hasn‘t let go since. Sara pays tribute to the instruments legacy rooted in the blues and soulful music with plenty of groove and grease. In her own music, she continues to be inspired by the melodies of her nordic heritage as well.
Sara has been an active performer on the Icelandic jazz music scene since age 20, and has performed at festivals such as Reykjavik Jazz Festival twice. Sara is also a passionate big band composer, and most recently wrote arrangements for Joe Lovano and the William Paterson University Jazz Orchestra. She has written for Reykjavik Big Band several times and gotten several grants for her composition projects.