Mezzoforte (Icelandic jazz-funk / fusion band)

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. Original line-up from 1977: Eyþór Gunnarsson  – keyboards Jóhann Ásmundsson – bass Gunnlaugur Briem-Gulli Briem (Gulli) – drums Friðrik Karlsson (Frissi) – guitars Other members, present and past: Bruno Müller – guitars (2005–2014) Sebastian Studnitzky – trumpet & keyboards (2005–present) Thomas Dyani – percussion (2004–present) Jonas Wall – saxophones (2013–present) Ari Bragi Karason – trumpet Staffan William-Olsson – guitars (2003–2004) Joel Palsson – saxophones (2003) Guðmundur Pétursson – guitars (2003) Óskar Guðjónsson – saxophones (1996–2003, 2005–2013) Kåre Kolve – saxophones (1991–1994) Björn Thorarensen – synthesizers (1980–1982) Kristinn Svavarsson – saxophones (1982–1985; died 2026) David O'Higgins – saxophones (1985–1989, 2002–2004) Jeroen De Rijk – percussion (1984–1986) Larkin, Colin (1997) The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music, Virgin Books, ISBN 0-7535-0159-7, p. 321 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 362. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. "Mezzoforte's Kristinn Svavarsson has died". RÚV. 23 January 2026. Retrieved 23 January 2026. Peak positions for Mezzoforte's albums in Iceland: Mezzoforte: "Vísir - 15. Tölublað (18.01.1980)". timarit.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2022-05-19. 4: "Dagblaðið Vísir - DV - 253. tölublað (05.11.1982)". timarit.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2022-05-19. Sprellifandi: "Dagblaðið Vísir - DV - 223. tölublað (30.09.1983)". timarit.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2022-05-19. Yfirsýn: "Dagblaðið Vísir - DV - 289. tölublað (16.12.1983)". timarit.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2022-05-19. Rising: "Dagblaðið Vísir - DV - 273. tölublað (14.12.1984)". timarit.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2022-05-19. The Saga So Far: "Dagblaðið Vísir - DV - 244. tölublað (25.10.1985)". timarit.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2022-05-20. No Limits: "Dagblaðið Vísir - DV - 268. tölublað (21.11.1986)". timarit.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2022-05-19. Playing for Time: "Dagblaðið Vísir - DV - 123. tölublað (02.06.1989)". timarit.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2022-05-19. Fortissimos: "Dagblaðið Vísir - DV - 256. tölublað (08.11.1991)". timarit.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2022-05-20. Monkey Fields: "Dagblaðið Vísir - DV - Fjörkálfurinn (25.10.1996)". timarit.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2022-05-19. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 199. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. "Suche - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 2022-05-19. "Dutch Charts - dutchcharts.nl". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2022-05-19. "norwegiancharts.com - Norwegian charts portal". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 2022-05-19. "swedishcharts.com - Swedish Charts Portal". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2022-05-19. "Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade - hitparade.ch". swisscharts.com. Retrieved 2022-05-19. "MEZZOFORTE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2022-05-19. "Morgunblaðið - 254. tölublað (07.11.1999) - Tímarit.is". timarit.is. Retrieved 2022-05-19. "Dagblaðið Vísir - DV - 59. tölublað (11.03.1983)". timarit.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2022-05-20. "ultratop.be - ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS". www.ultratop.be. Retrieved 2022-05-19. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 2022-04-19. "Dutch Charts - dutchcharts.nl". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2022-05-19. "TOM ROBINSON | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2022-04-14. "UK Singles Charts: 1984 (including chart panel sales)". UKMIX Forums. 18 May 2022. Retrieved 2022-05-23. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mezzoforte. mezzoforte.com (official site) Mezzoforte at AllMusic Mezzoforte discography at Discogs Mezzoforte at IMDb gullibriem.com (Gulli Briem's site) thefeelgoodcollection.com Archived 2021-12-26 at the Wayback Machine (Fridrik Karlsson's site) bruno-mueller-music.de (Bruno Müller's site) studnitzky.de (Sebastian Studnitzky's site) jookraus.de (Joo Kraus' site)