Ingi S. Skúlason (Bass)
Samúel Jón Samúelsson (Trombone/Lead vocals)
Kjartan Hákonarsson (Trumpet)
Óskar Guðjónsson (Saxophone)
Ómar Guðjónsson (Guitar)
Etkilendikleri
Kool and the Gang, Earth Wind & Fire, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Parliament/Funkadelic, P-Funk, Isaac Hayes, Blaxploitation Filmscores and everthing that funks you up !
Jagúar was formed in the summer of 1998 by six guys interested in playing 70´s instrumental funk, soul & jazz. In the beginning Jagúar played a lot of covers by James Brown, Kool and the Gang, Herbie Hancock and other 70´s funk masters.
In 1999 Jagúar relesed their first album with original instrumental material titled “Jagúar”
Their second album titled “Get The Funk Out” was released in June 2001.
In February 2002 Jagúar received “The Icelandic Music Awards” for album of the year (Get The Funk Out) The band started adding more vocals to their music and trombone player Samúel started singing. In September Jaguar went on a tour to Belgium and The Netherlands.
Februar 2003 Jaguar played their UK debut at The Jazz Café in London. In April the band played a late night show after their long time hero Maceo Parker in Brussels in Belgium. A 3 weak tour through Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and UK followed in May.
In September the band returned to Jazz Café to promote their first UK release, “That´s Your Problem Baby” on Freestyle Records.
In May 2004 Jagúar appeared as a 14 piece big band at the Reykjavik Art Festival performing the music of Icelandic jazz composer Tómas R. Einarsson. The concert was released on a live album titled “Dance You Idiot !”
In July the band started working on their 3rd album and performed at the Summer Stage festival in New York. Al Stone (former producer of Jamiroquai) came to Iceland in August to work with the band and so did the Godfather of Funk, Mr Dynamite. Jaguar had their dream come true when they opened for James Brown in Reykjavik Music Hall in August. “Hello Somebody” (the 3rd album) was released in November 2004. Jagúar performed with Harry Belafonte on the Icelandic National Television in December. At the Icelandic Music Awards in February 2005 Jaguar received 4 awards including “Best performer” and “Jazz Album of the year”.
Work on their 4th studio album started in 2006 with the release of "Disco Diva" the albums 1st single. In february 2007 Jaguar went to denmark to record the album titled "Shake it good" Now that album is avalible in record stores in Iceland.
I'd never believe if someone claimed that Icelanders can funk. Well, you proved me wrong last saturday at the Presidentti Club. I had a really good time down there. Omar's "busy" guitar style really caught my ears.
Það birtist grein um Jagúar í einu dagblaðinu hér á morgun, ég var blaðakonu innan handar við að skrifa um ykkur... ég kíki svo örugglega á ykkur á fimmtudagskvöldið!
