Sara Magnúsdóttir
Icelandic jazz Hammond organist Sara Magnúsdóttir brings an exciting new voice to the Hammond Organ, blending nordic lyricism with deep grooves and a soulful touch - all tied together by her background in the jazz tradition.
Growing up in a small Icelandic village with a fascination for jazz, her path led to the US, where she studied jazz performance and arranging — opening doors to opportunities like arranging a big band piece for jazz legend Joe Lovano.
Now stepping forward as a bandleader, Sara releases her debut album A Place to Bloom, in August 2025 with a premiere at Reykjavik Jazz Festival. The album is a reflection on wanderlust, identity and needing to find home in many places.
Sara is joined by some of Iceland’s most accomplished jazz musicians: Jóel Pálsson on tenor saxophone, Andrés Thor Gunnlaugsson on guitar, Einar Scheving on drums and Tumi Torfason on trumpet.
Her first single is out on May 23rd and is called Heima.
Listen to Heima:
Social Media Links
Live Performance
Press release for Heima
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
saramagnusdottirmusic@gmail.com
Phone: (+1) 973-931-9370
May 11th, 2025
Finding home in many places
Icelandic Organist Sara Magnúsdóttir Releases Reflective Debut Ahead of RVK Jazz Festival
A long time player on the Reykjavik live jazz scene and now New York City transplant, Sara Magnusdottir is stepping up as a bandleader and an artist to take note of with her debut album.
Playing a not-too-common instrument, Hammond organ, Sara blends her jazz roots with melodies inspired by Nordic simplicity and lyricism.
The first single of Sara‘s called Heima is a reflection on the need to find home in many places, and feeling bitter sweet about your choice of a nomadic lifestyle.
The track‘s soulful organ pads and a warm saxophone melody draw you into a scene of a sunset drive with your parents town in the rearview mirror or a Saturday morning at your new apartment, when you don‘t know where anything is, but you managed to work the strange coffeemaker.
„Home is something I have started to consider more of a feeling and less of a place. Because it can be pretty sad to feel like you are never “home“, believe me I‘ve definitely cried in an airplane about it. I find it in habits and rituals as well as connections with people.“
- Sara Magnúsdóttir
The full debut album titled A Place to Bloom, will be out in August and celebrated at its premier at Reykjavík Jazz festival on Saturday August 30th at 20:00.
Heima will be available on all streaming platforms on May 23rd
Pre-save link for Spotify: Heima.lnk.to/PreSave
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For interviews, press inquiries, or more information, please contact:
Email: saramagnusdottirmusic@gmail.com
Instagram: @sara_magnusdottir
www.saramagnusdottir.com