Sigurdur Flosason, an Icelandic saxophonist, began playing jazz when he was a teenager. He attracted much attention in Iceland. He graduated from The Reykjavik College of Music in 1983 with a Performance Diploma on classical saxophone. He continued his studies at Indiana University, U.S.A., where he received a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in jazz studies. He studied at Indiana with David Baker, a jazz education guru, and Eugene Rousseau (a leading classical saxophonist). Sigurdur continued his studies in New York with George Coleman during winter 1988-1989. Sigurdur, who returned to Iceland in 1989, was a highly active jazz musician, performing regularly at home and abroad. Sigurdur has recorded more than 20 CDs, showcasing a variety of jazz music. He includes original compositions and standards as well as experimental music and solo performances. Sigurdur is the driving force behind the Reykjavik Big Band, and is also a founding member the Icelandic Saxophone Quartet. He has performed all over Scandinavia, as well as the USA, Canada, Japan China, Thailand, China, Thailand, and other European countries. Sigurdur is a major participant and influencer in Iceland’s music education. He has been the head of the Jazz Department at Iceland’s F.I.H School of Music since 1989. He has been a speaker at many clinics, workshops, and courses in Iceland and elsewhere. He also worked extensively for the Icelandic ministry for education to develop curriculum for Icelandic music schools. He has also been instrumental in the promotion of jazz music in Iceland through organizing concerts and festivals. FTT, the Icelandic Association of Composer’s of Popular Music and Jazz, is his vice-chairman. He is also a member of the board for STEF, The Icelandic Composer’s Rights Association. Sigurdur Flosason was awarded 1st prize in the American Hoagy Carmichael composition contest in 1987. He also reached the finals in Europe Jazz Contest 1990. He was nominated in the Nordic Council’s music prize in 2000 and 2003, and has been a five-time winner of the Icelandic Music Awards. He was also nominated in the Danish music awards 2011 for recording with Cathrine Legardh, a Danish singer. Sigurdur Flosason, Iceland’s City Artist in 2005, was Sigurdur Flosason. Sigurdur has been active in Denmark over the past few years. Three CDs have been released by Sigurdur for Danish Storyville. : “Land
