Mezzoforte is an instrumental jazz-funk fusion band from Iceland, formed in 1977.Larkin, Colin (1997) The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music, Virgin Books, , p. 321
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 – 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)
Discography Albums Studio albums Title Album detailsPeak chart positions ICEPeak positions for Mezzoforte's albums in Iceland: Mezzoforte: 4: Sprellifandi: Yfirsýn: Rising: The Saga So Far: No Limits: Playing for Time: Fortissimos: Monkey Fields: AUS GER NL NOR SWE SWI UKMezzoforte Released: November 1979 Label: Steinar Formats: LP, MC10———————Í Hakanum Released: November 1980 Label: Steinar Formats: LP, MC Released outside of Iceland as Mezzoforte————————Þvílíkt Og Annað Eins Released: November 1981 Label: Steinar Formats: LP————————Surprise Surprise Released: October 1982 Label: Steinar Formats: LP, MC Released outside of Iceland as Surprise Surprise1463310———28Yfirsýn Released: December 1983 Label: Steinar Formats: CD, LP, MC Released outside of Iceland as Observations7—39—64623—Rising Released: November 1984 Label: Steinar Formats: CD, LP, MC10———————No Limits Released: November 1986 Label: Steinar Formats: CD, LP, MC9———12———Playing for Time Released: April 1989 Label: RCA Formats: CD, LP, MC8———5———Daybreak Released: November 1993 Label: Spor Formats: CD, MC————————Monkey Fields Released: July 1996 Label: Spor Formats: CD, MC7———————Forward Motion Released: November 2004 Label: BHM Productions Formats: CD————————Volcanic Released: 18 October 2010 Label: Koolmusik, BHM Productions Formats: CD, digital download————————Islands Released: 6 July 2012 Label: BHM Productions Formats: CD, digital download————————"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
Live albums Title Album detailsPeak chart positions ICESprellifandi Released: September 1983 Label: Steinar Formats: LP, MC Live at the Dominion on 30 June 19831Live in Reykjavik Released: November 2008 Label: BHM Productions Formats: 2xCD—Live from London Released: 2 August 2016 Label: The Store for Music Formats: digital download—"—" denotes releases that did not chart.
Compilation albums Title Album detailsPeak chart positions ICE UKCatching up with Mezzoforte – Early Recordings Released: May 1983 Label: Steinar Formats: CD, LP, MC—95The Saga So Far Released: October 1985 Label: Steinar Formats: CD, LP, MC4—Best Collection Released: 1 June 1987 Label: Polydor Formats: CD Japan-only release——Fortissimos Released: September 1991 Label: RCA/BMG Formats: CD, LP, MC7—Garden Party Time – The Best of Mezzoforte Released: 22 November 1999 Label: Skífan/Íslenskir Tónar Formats: 2xCD——The Very Best of Mezzoforte Released: 24 October 2001 Label: Skífan Formats: CD, MC——Anniversary Edition Released: April 2007 Label: BHM Productions Formats: 2xCD——"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
Video albums Title Album detailsHigh Voltage Released: 1985 Label: Castle Hendring Formats: VHSLive in Reykjavik Released: November 2008 Label: BHM Productions Formats: DVDLive from London – Live from the Marquee Club Released: May 2013 Label: The Store for Music Formats: DVD
Singles Title YearPeak chart positions ICE AUS BE (FL) GER IRE NL UK"Dreamland"/"Shooting Star"1982———————"Garden Party"1983832103623517"Rockall"——31——4375"Midnight Express" (live)———————"Midnight Sun"1984——————102"Spring Fever"——————100"Take Off———————"Taking Off" (vocal mix)1985———————"Garden Party" (sunshine mix)———————"This Is the Night" (featuring Noel McCalla)———————"Nothing Lasts Forever" (featuring Noel McCalla)1986———————"No Limit"1987———————"Expressway"1989———————"High Season"———————"Better Love"1991———————"After Hours"1994———————"Step Right Back"1996———————"Monkey Fields"———————"Garden Party" (2002 remix)2002———————"Hún veit hvað ég vil" (with Auður)2020———————"Broke n Hip"2021———————"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
References
External links
mezzoforte.com (official site)
gullibriem.com (Gulli Briem's site) thefeelgoodcollection.com (Fridrik Karlsson's site) bruno-mueller-music.de (Bruno Müller's site) studnitzky.de (Sebastian Studnitzky's site) jookraus.de (Joo Kraus' site)