Jazz Articles about Scott McLemore

About Scott McLemore

Album Review

Sunna Gunnlaugs: Go Round Merry

Read "Go Round Merry" reviewed by Ian Patterson

by Ian Patterson
July 12, 2026

The title of Icelandic pianist-composer Sunna Gunnlaugs' 15th album as leader is a manifesto of sorts--a call to embrace the moment and savor life's simple pleasures as we go about our business. Gunnlaugs has always shown a penchant for memorable melodies, and this album--her sixth with her longstanding trio partners, bassist Þorgrímur Jónsson and drummer Scott McLemore--is no exception. A working unit since 2011, it should come as no surprise that there is an egalitarian esprit de corps across these ...

Album Review

Sunna Gunnlaugs: Becoming

by Neil Duggan
June 20, 2023

Raised on a small peninsula in Iceland and later educated in New York City, Sunna Gunnlaugs, could easily have followed a different musical path if it hadn't been for the gift of a Bill Evans record in her teens. That gift set her on a path that has led to Becoming, the fifth album Gunnlaugs has released with her trio, comprising fellow Icelandic bassist Thorgrimur Jónsson and drummer (and husband) Scott McLemore. Gunnlaugs reached number two on the ...

Album Review

Sunna Gunnlaugs: Distilled

Read "Distilled" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi

by Angelo Leonardi
July 18, 2014

La scena musicale islandese non ha prodotto solo Björk, Sigur Rós e, per quanto riguarda il jazz, Mezzoforte e Skúli Sverrisson. La pianista di questo trio, Sunna Gunnlaugs (il cognome per esteso è Gunnlaugsdóttir) è un'artista pregevole che ha vissuto negli anni Novanta a New York suonando con Drew Gress, Tony Malaby, Loren Stillman e altri, sviluppando uno stile che sa essere liricamente ricercato sul modello Brad Mehldau ma capace di groove come il compianto Esbjörn Svensson.

Album Review

Sunna Gunnlaugs: Distilled

Read "Distilled" reviewed by Jakob Baekgaard

by Jakob Baekgaard
September 28, 2013

It is tempting to connect a musical aesthetic with a particular place. In fact, the whole idea of national music relies on the concept of an intrinsic national spirit, which creates an original musical expression. The only problem with a concept like national music is that it tends to pigeonhole musicians and create prejudice rather than adventurousness. Then it is great to have an artist like Icelandic pianist Sunna Gunnlaugs, who is good at turning things around. ...

Album Review

Scott McLemore: Remote Location

Read "Remote Location" reviewed by John Kelman

by John Kelman
February 1, 2013

While musicians relocate all the time, moving from the vibrant New York scene to more remote environs might seem an odd choice. After eight years in NYC playing with artists including guitarist Ben Monder and saxophonist Tim Berne, drummer Scott McLemore relocated with wife Sunna Gunnlaugs to her native Iceland following the pianist's decade-plus American stay. McLemore's second album as a leader, Remote Location is his first with an all-Icelandic lineup, suggesting there's plenty of talent on this small island ...

Album Review

Scott McLemore: Remote Location

Read "Remote Location" reviewed by Jakob Baekgaard

by Jakob Baekgaard
October 14, 2012

A change of scenery is a change of sound. At least, this seems to be case with the Virginia-born drummer Scott McLemore, who has been a vital presence on the music scene in New York, but now is part of the significantly smaller, but nevertheless bourgeoning Icelandic jazz community.When McLemore released Found Music on Fresh Sound New Talent in 2006, he enlisted a group of likeminded musicians who reflected the dynamic pulse of the city. Especially saxophonist Tony ...

Take Five With...

Take Five With Scott McLemore

by AAJ Staff
September 18, 2012

Meet Scott McLemore: Born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1973, Scott McLemore spent over a decade in New York where he was equally at home playing in the trios of saxophonist Tony Malaby, guitarist Ben Monder, pianist Michael Kanan and George Colligan. Although he is best known for his work with Icelandic pianist Sunna Gunnlaugs (who is also his wife), Scott's own efforts as a leader have resulted in two recordings: Found Music (Fresh Sound New Talent, 2006) and ...