Mezzoforte is an instrumental jazz-funk fusion band from Iceland, formed in 1977.
They signed a record deal with Icelandic label Steinar. Their biggest hit single was "Garden Party" (1983), taken from their fourth album (second international release) Surprise Surprise. It peaked at number 17 in the UK Singles Chart. The solo that takes place two minutes into "Garden Party", was created and played on the flugelhorn by English trumpeter, Stephen Dawson. "Garden Party" was later covered by Herb Alpert, at a slower speed than the original, apparently as he had learned the track from the single played at the wrong speed. Another single, "Rockall" spent one week at number 75 in the same listing in June that year, and was used as a signature tune by several European radio chart shows.
The band was named after the traditional musical term mezzo forte, an instruction to play literally "moderately loud".
Saxophonist Kristinn Svavarsson died in January 2026, at the age of 78.
Band members
Original line-up from 1977:
- Eyþór Gunnarsson â keyboards
- Jóhann ÃÂsmundsson â bass
- Gunnlaugur Briem-Gulli Briem (Gulli) â drums
- Friðrik Karlsson (Frissi) â guitars
Other members, present and past:
- Bruno Müller â guitars (2005âÂÂ2014)
- Sebastian Studnitzky â trumpet & keyboards (2005âÂÂpresent)
- Thomas Dyani â percussion (2004âÂÂpresent)
- Jonas Wall â saxophones (2013âÂÂpresent)
- Ari Bragi Karason â trumpet
- Staffan William-Olsson â guitars (2003âÂÂ2004)
- Joel Palsson â saxophones (2003)
- Guðmundur Pétursson â guitars (2003)
- ÃÂskar Guðjónsson â saxophones (1996âÂÂ2003, 2005âÂÂ2013)
- KÃÂ¥re Kolve â saxophones (1991âÂÂ1994)
- Björn Thorarensen â synthesizers (1980âÂÂ1982)
- Kristinn Svavarsson â saxophones (1982âÂÂ1985; died 2026)
- David O'Higgins â saxophones (1985âÂÂ1989, 2002âÂÂ2004)
- Jeroen De Rijk â percussion (1984âÂÂ1986)
Discography
Albums
Studio albums
Live albums
Compilation albums
Video albums
Singles
References
External links