Results for "Laufey"

Musician

Laufey

Born: April 23, 1999

Raised between Reykjavík and Washington, DC, Icelandic-Chinese singer-songwriter Laufey (pron. / lay-vay / ) makes music that is the byproduct of rich cultural heritages and mixed musical influences. Inspired in part by her mother, a classical violinist, Laufey took up piano and cello early on. But it wasn't until deep-diving into her father's record collection, consisting of jazz artists Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, that she launched into her musical journey.

"I'm definitely very influenced by composers like Ravel and Chopin," the 24-year old musician explains, "but when I discovered the Great American Songbook and the music of George Gershwin and Richard Rodgers, it felt like this middle ground between jazz and classical that suited me perfectly."

Article: Album Review

Jamie Safir: Momentism

by Neil Duggan
September 2, 2026

Pianist Jamie Safir has spent more than 15 years writing, recording and performing with artists including Laufey, Kylie Minogue, Jamie Cullum and Annie Lennox. His compositional work includes a Christmas single for singer- songwriter Will Young and a co-writing credit on Ian Shaw's 2022 album Greek Street Friday (Silent Wish Records). He is also a familiar presence at ...

Article: Catching Up With

New York's Hottest New Club Has Arrived

by Mark Robbins
August 14, 2026

Martin Porter's life has revolved around jazz from an early age. Growing up playing jazz piano and listening to the greats, he eventually found himself living out a dream--working at the Jazz Standard, one of the city's premier jazz clubs. The closing of the Standard left a void in New York's jazz community--one that Martin Porter was ...

Video

Blue in Green and More

Featuring the music of Laufey
Duration: 19:21
June 14, 2026

The singer Laufey has over 24 million monthly listeners on Spotify, with her top hit, a bossa nova, accumulating 1.3 billion listens. Her voice can be described as yearning, warm, angelic and vibrato-heavy. Laufey has won two Grammys in the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, for Bewitched and A Matter of Time. Comparisons have been made to chanteuse Julie London (who was popular in the '50s through the '70s for hits like "Cry Me a River") and Edith Piaf. ...And yet, there is debate as to whether Laufey is a real jazz singer. Why the critique? Is it because she is Gen Z (born 1999), a cohort that has been tagged as devoted to hip hop, electronica, pop and (in the U.S.) country music? Does Laufey’s parents’ lineage from Iceland and China rob her of street cred? Do her lush arrangements and storytelling videos peg her in the young pop/soul category?

Make your own characterization about Laufey’s music, starting with "Blue in Green" at 15:26. Her fans will continue to say they love jazz.

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Sarah L. King, Joe Gransden, Maria Grand, Rebecca Rafla, Emie R. Roussel, Andrea Miller & More

by Mary Foster Conklin
May 5, 2026

This broadcast closes out Jazz Appreciation Month with new music from Sarah L. King, Joe Gransden, Maria Grand, Rebecca Rafla, Emie R. Roussel and Andrea Miller, with birthday shoutouts to Jazz Foremother Ma Rainey, Ella Fitzgerald, Roxy Coss, Rebecca Martin, Laufey, Kendra Shank, Lara Downes and Honorable Man Charles Mingus, among others. Happy listening and please ...

Article: Journey into Jazz

Record Store Day 2026 Additional Releases

by Kyle Simpler
April 3, 2026

While jazz releases are always a highlight of Record Store Day, the event's massive lists inevitably spill far beyond any single genre. With hundreds of titles announced each year, it quickly becomes clear that no guide can cover everything. The following selections step slightly outside the jazz category, but they still feel at home in a ...

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Paul Edis, Ezra Collective, Harry Connick, Jr., Strictly Smokin’ Big Band, And More

by Colin Muirhead
December 20, 2025

Featuring music by Paul Edis & Friends, Ezra Collective, Harry Connick, Jr., Laufey, Louise Dodds, Bugge Wesseltoft, the Kevin Brown Quintet, the Strictly Smokin' Big Band, and more. Playlist Paul Edis & Friends “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" from On Christmas Day (Self Released) 00:00 Ezra Collective “Joy to the World" from Joy to ...

Article: Take Five With...

Take Five with flutist Hanna Kim

by AAJ Staff
October 26, 2025

Meet Hanna Kim Hanna Kim is a talented South Korean flutist, arranger, composer, improviser, songwriter, and a bandleader. After she earned her B.A. in Music and the M.M. degree with a concentration in flute performance and conducting in California. After that, Hanna also graduated from Berklee College of Music with a B.M. in 2016 as a ...

Article: Live Review

Iron Blossom Festival 2025: Jazzy Enough?

by Konstantin N. Rega
September 28, 2025

Iron Blossom Festival Midtown Green Richmond, VA September 20-21, 2025 A quick look at Richmond's relatively new Iron Blossom Festival lineup might give some jazz fans pause. With headliners like Vampire Weekend and The Lumineers, the festival looks to be serving up more indie pop-rock selections for younger audiences to consume. ...

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Michael Wolff, Laufey, Bob Curnow and Bob Schlesinger

by Joe Dimino
September 14, 2025

From the soul of Denver's own Bob Schlesinger, we launch into another irresistible hour of Neon Jazz with episode 923. This one's packed with flavor--starting with Bob himself and moving into the legendary Michael Wolff, plus a wave of fresh sounds lighting up Summer 2025. You'll hear the brilliance of Steve Rosenbloom and his Big Band, ...