“A masterful union of fire and ice”, is how Jacob Edgar described the Latin music of the Icelandic bassist/composer Tómas R. Einarsson (1953), in his liner notes to Putyumayo Presents Latin Jazz. When Putumayo World Music released its first Latin Jazz CD they included Rumdrum from Einarsson´s Havana CD. The Icelandic bassist is the only European representative and the company could not be more exclusive; Tito Puente, Machito, Ray Barretto etc. Einarsson´s Reykjavik-Havana trilogy (Kúbanska, Havana, Romm Tomm Tomm) has earned accolades from Latin jazz critics in the United States and Latin America.

Tómas R. Einarsson has released 16 records with his own music; straight-ahead jazz, Nordic ballads, jazz & poetry and collaborations with singers. His music has been arranged for big band and DJ´s have remixed his Latin music. Einarsson has played and toured extensively with his Latin group, performing at festivals and clubs in Iceland, Faroe Islands, Norway, Russia, Germany, Romania and Cuba. Einarsson´s last release is Strengur.

See also myspace.com/tomasreinarsson

Strengur includes twelve songs for double-bass, percussion and water sounds. Einarsson recorded different water-sounds in the countryside where his ancestors lived and these sounds mix with the percussion and the double-bass which here is the leading voice. On the DVD one can listen to the music and follow the movements of the water. Strengur was performed for the first time at the Reykjavik Arts Festival 2011 (wach video here) and has already earned accolades from critics.

[Download free tracks here.]

News 10. jan 2012: Icelandic Latin Jazzer in Best CD List

“One could think that it would need some patience to listen for an hour to a slow double-bass music along with minimal percussion and water sounds, but it turned out quite differently.”
**** ½ Vernharður Linnet, Morgunblaðið, Reykjavik, Iceland 3/6 2011.

“A brilliant CD.”
**** Ingi F. Vilhjálmsson, DV, Reykjavik, Iceland 22/6 2011.

“Even if the music is in the minimalist vein, it is remarkably impressive.”
**** Gunnar L. Hjálmarsson, Fréttatíminn, Reykjavik, Iceland 7/10 2011.

“A unique project.”
Christopher Giese, JAZZTHETIK 11/12 2011, Germany

"Espectacular!"
DJ El Chino, SolarLatinClub 13/7 2011, Colombia