Tómas R. Einarsson: TRÚNÓ

Trúnó is an Icelandic word describing sincere conversation, a private talk.

Best known for his Reykjavik-Havana Latin jazz trilogy, Icelandic bass player/composer Tómas R. Einarsson has now written twelve songs to the poems of various Icelandic poets, ranging from Halldór Laxness (1902-1998), Iceland´s only Nobel prize winner, to young rebel poet Kristín Svava Tómasdóttir (1985), who published her first book in 2007, the critically acclaimed Blótgælur . The other poets are Ingibjörg Haraldsdóttir, Sveinbjörn I. Baldvinsson, Steinn Steinarr and Vilborg Dagbjartsdóttir, all well known and awarded for their lyrics. Einarsson contributes himself with lyrics to three tunes.

The two singers that perform with Einarsson´s band are among the most popular and best known of Icelandic singers; Ragnheiður Gröndal and the special guest Mugison. Einarsson playes his double-bass but other musicians are guitarist Ómar Guðjónsson, pianist/organ player Davíð Þór Jónsson, drummer/percussionist Matthías MD Hemstock and saxophone player Óskar Guðjónsson.

The program had its debut in the Reykjavik Jazz Festival in August 2008 and  among the guests was a German critic, Christoph Giese, who wrote in the JAZZTHETIK magazine: “A real festival highlight was the new project of the bassist Tómas R. Einarsson with the singer Ragnheiður Gröndal... Einarsson, along with his excellent musicians, blended his Latin-inspired music, arranged in a very personal way, with the charming voice of Ragnheiður Gröndal, who sang in Icelandic about love and hang-overs. This was a bizarre mix but worked wonderfully well.” (JAZZTHETIK, nr. 10, 2008).

Ragnheiður Gröndal :  vocals

Mugison :  vocals

Ómar Guðjónsson :  guitar

Óskar Guðjónsson :  saxophone

Davíð Þór Jónsson :  piano, organ

Tómas R. Einarsson :  bass

Matthías MD Hemstock :  drums, percussion

Released 2008