User:Geir Ólafsson

BIOGRAPHY

He was born in Reykjavík, Iceland on 14th august 1973. Music was an integral part of his youth, as his father is a musician and played with famous bands in Iceland in his younger years.

Education

He was brought up in Reykjavik and graduated from Rettarholtsskoli in 1990.

1990 - 1996: Reykjavik Academy of Singing and Vocal Arts (Songskoli Reykjavikur). Following my graduation I attended the singing division of the Music school of Reykjavik, enjoying guidance from Gudmundur Jonsson. 1992 - 1996: I enjoyed private teaching of Gudmundur Steingrimsson, drummer during the years of 1992 -1996. 1996 - 1998: FIH Music school, jazz vocals and piano lessons from Carl Möller. 2000 - 2002: Olafur Gaukur Guitar School studying Jazz theory. 2005 - 2009: I attended singing and piano lessons in Reykjavik Academy of Singing and Vocal Arts from Mar Magnusson, Kristinn Cortes and Violeta Smidova. 2009 - 2012: From autumn 2009 I have attended singing lessons from Kristjan Johannsson, The Metropolitan Opera star.

'Experience

He started his music career in 1996 by starting a big band with the name of "Furstarnir". He has held many open concerts in Icelandic Music halls. For example the new Concert Hall at Harpa and the Icelandic Opera House, The National Theater, The Reykjavik City Theater, Haskolabio and numerous concerts at Broadway music hall in Reykjavik. He has also held short private concerts for all major companies in Iceland, for example Arion Bank, Eimskip, Samskip, Visa Iceland, Landsbanki, Islandsbanki, Ossur hf. and many more. In Los Angeles he has held concerts at the Baked Potato on a number of occasions during the last 2 years. He has also travelled to many European countries and performed, for example in Estonia, Germany and Russia. Recently he has been working with the known artist in America, Ted Hermann and his Orchestra.

Publishing records are very important to him. It has given him opportunities to play music with great musicians and be able to help others to enjoy music. It has also made it possible for him to travel abroad and find new opportunities in his music career. Few years ago he met and came to know American musician and songwriter Don Randi. He has been his inspiration ever since. He has visited Iceland a number of times and given concerts with Geir and his band. Through Don Randi he has been privileged by holding a number of concerts in Hollywood, LA. Don Randi is both his mentor and his friend.

Albums

He has published 5 solo-albums:

1. "My way"  - Published in 2001. 2. "That´s life"  - Published 2007. 3. "From Happiness I sing" (with American big band, conducted by Don Randi) - Published 2009. 4. "Grandma is the best" (music for children) - Published in 2011. 5. "I´m talking about you" - Published in 2012.