EPK

 

Mikael Máni

“...an impressionistic gem” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

— Downbeat

-About-

Reykjavík-born and bred guitarist Mikael Máni made his name after finishing his studies in the Conservatory of Amsterdam with his debut release entitled ‘Bobby’ (a concept album citing the life experiences of controversial chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer). It gained play time on BBC 3 & 6, Icelandic and French national radio and his most streamed song from the record has gained almost 1.300.000 streams on Spotify. His sophomore album Nostalgia Machine delved deeper into his musical landscape. The album is produced by Matt Piereson, one of the most successful producers in contemporary jazz having worked with Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny, Samara Joy and many more. It was chosen jazz record of the year in the Icelandic paper Morgunblaðið and was nominated for the prestigious Kraumur Awards. Mikael’s 3. album ‘Innermost’ won the Icelandic Music Awards for jazz album of the year 2023 which was his first official award. He recorded it with some of Icelands finest musicians alongside Swedish bass legend Henrik Linder. Earlier this year he was signed by ACT and his debut solo guitar album ‘Guitar Poetry’ was released under their flag on the 29th of March 2024.

Although loosely categorized as jazz, Mikael likes to describe his music as ‘Jarm’ – a subtle blend of jazz, rock and impressionism. He aims to balance his work so that it is both accessible and demanding, in the hope that listeners are able to be stimulated both intellectually and emotionally.

-Press photos-

 

All images can be downloaded for press purposes in the download section below

 

-Quotes-

“Mani et al offer innovation and tradition, reassurance and challenge. Highly recommended. - 5/5”
— Michael Boncza - Morning Star
“There’s a strong sense of wide-eyed dreaming about some of the compositions… the music blurring the waking and sleeping worlds. - 3/5”
— Jazzwise - Robert Shore
“The band should be praised for their subtle approach, improvisations full of finesse, sensitivity to dynamics and advanced harmony… an album you can enjoy endlessly and it is definitely worth staying with this album for a longer time. -5/5”
— Marcin - Stacjaislandia
“I have enjoyed Nostalgia Machine with the use of different instrumentation, the blending of musical styles and the linear approach to the album’s construction.”
— SimplyJazzTalk Blog
“…beautiful, full of intent, moving but only with careful steps but with an inexorable beauty that compels the listener to stand and admire. -4/5”
— Kind of jazz - Rob Mallow
“…crossover work of confidently understated melodic refinement.”
— London Jazz News - AJ Dehany
“It is rare to receive an album that is as layered as Bobby. By the first listening you can tell that it’s a magnificently deep, lyrical and tender jazz album that is both rewarding and demanding. Mikael Máni is a young instrumentalist that demonstrates both outstanding guitar playing and joy in his experiments. - 4/5”
— Morgunblaðið - Ragnheiður Eiríksdóttir
“The sound is formidable… Mikael Máni is undeniably a very talented guitarist, also a charismatic composer with sharp tonal language”
— Kulturbloggen - Mats Hallberg
 

-Contact-

Booking Iceland:
email: mikaelm27@gmail.com
phone: (+354) 6591820

Booking Europe & Worldwide
management.adhdiceland@gmail.com

Other inqueries:
Phone (+354) 822-3780
e-mail: asmundj@smekkleysa.com