Sunna Gunnlaugs Trio
Sunna Gunnlaugs Trio Casts a Spell in Italy
Culture Centre Lojze Bratuž, Gorizia, 24. 5. 2025
You won’t believe how an Icelandic jazz trio silenced a city still buzzing from the Giro d’Italia’s chaos. Just hours after Gorizia’s streets roared with cycling fans, the Sunna Gunnlaugs Trio cast a spell so quiet, so mesmerizing, that the audience forgot to breathe. From reinventing U2’s anthems to teasing an unreleased album—recorded just days before—this was no ordinary jazz concert. It was a masterclass in tension, elegance, and the kind of musical chemistry most bands spend decades chasing.
Icelandic pianist Sunna Gunnlaugs. was joined by her longtime trio members, bassist Thorgrimur Jonsson and drummer Scott McLemore. This performance marked the final stop on their 10-day European tour, during which they also recorded a new album in Germany, scheduled for release in August this year.
A Gentle Beginning with Familiar Sounds
They opened the evening with Long Pair Bond, the title track from their 2011 release. From the very first notes of the piano intro, it was clear that we were in for an evening of calm, gentle music — beautiful and profound. Gunnlaugs’ almost minimalistic approach was more than enough to carry the tune, and when joined by bass and drums, the sound grew richer but never felt louder. That balance was partly thanks to the trio’s attentive interplay, and also to the excellent live sound, handled with care by the PA technician.
Next came Suddenly Autumn from their latest release Becoming (2023). Sunna explained how the song was inspired by the sudden seasonal shift in Iceland, where summer turns to autumn almost overnight. Jonsson delivered a lyrical bass solo here, showing his ability not just to support harmonies, but also to shine as a soloist. Showcasing New Material
We then heard Mistur (“Missed” in Icelandic), a new composition by Jonsson that they had recorded the previous week. The tune — a waltz with a folkish feel — hinted at the musical direction of their upcoming release.
One of the highlights of the evening followed — their arrangement of the U2 classic I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. It was one of only two covers in the program, and their subtle, moody version gave the well-known melody a new and reflective dimension. The trio picked up energy with Icelandic Blues, introduced with a soft but rhythmically complex drum intro played with brushes in 7/4. The piece moved through several tempo changes and showcased their dynamic range and musical communication. Each solo felt like a conversation, and the energy flowed seamlessly.
Complexity Wrapped in Clarity
They moved on to Becoming, the title track from their latest album — a bold and layered composition built around a transposing melodic motif and shifting time signatures, alternating between 5/4 and 4/4. The piece unfolded organically, allowing each member to take a solo, culminating in a crisp and inventive drum solo before returning to the theme for a satisfying close.
Following that, Gunnlaugs introduced a new piece with a lighthearted story. While walking her dog and listening to Swedish pianist Bobo Stenson, she was struck by a groove that reminded her of Kool & the Gang’s Jungle Boogie. The result was Bobo’s Boogie — not a traditional boogie, but a rhythmically intricate composition in 7/4 time, infused with a playful, funky character that nodded to both inspirations.
The trio then turned to the second non-original piece of the evening, Cielito Lindo, a Mexican folk song they had previously recorded on their 2015 album of the same name. Their arrangement preserved the heart of the original while gently wrapping it in their signature understated jazz aesthetic.
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A Peaceful Finale to a Lively Day
The final part of the concert was dedicated to three new compositions, giving us a taste o what to expect on their upcoming album. Be Like Charlie, inspired by the main character of the Peanuts comic strip, carried a sense of lightness and charm. Jonsson once again stepped into the spotlight with a soulful bass solo, while McLemore delivered a lively drum solo over a repeating piano vamp that gradually built energy.
The mood shifted with Late Night Radio, a gentle ballad composed by McLemore. Calm and introspective, it offered a quiet, reflective moment, drawing the audience into its peaceful, late-evening atmosphere.
To close the evening, the trio performed Go Around Merry, a joyful and imaginative piece inspired by a merry-go-round. Its playful rhythm and swirling melodic lines captured the lighthearted motion of a carousel, ending the concert on an uplifting and memorable note — a fitting conclusion to an emotionally rich and musically rewarding performance. The Sunna Gunnlaugs Trio provided a soothing and heartfelt contrast to the festive chaos in Gorizia earlier that day, as the city hosted a stage of the Giro d’Italia. Streets were filled with celebration and painted in pink — and this concert felt like a deep breath, a retreat into a serene musical world.
If you’re not yet familiar with Sunna Gunnlaugs’ catalogue, Becoming is a great place to start. And be sure to watch for the trio’s upcoming release in August — if the new tunes are any indication, it promises to be something special.
