Eythor, Fridrik, Johann and Gulli were only fifteen and sixteen years old when they formed the band in Reykjavik 1977. The four teenage boys all loved playing their instruments and shared an interest in music, from heavy-rock to jazz-rock fusion and funk. Their enthusiasm and energy soon caught the attention of Icelandic recording executive Steinar Berg, who thought this could lead to something worthwhile and signed the band to his Icelandic label, Steinar hf, in 1979. After three albums of experimenting and developing their skills, the band travelled to London in 1982 to record what turned out to be the pivotal fourth album, Surprise, Surprise. They teamed up with producer/engineer Geoff Calver, horn- & vocal arranger Chris Cameron and percussionist Luis Jardim, who helped the young Icelanders shape their style and create what became the unmistakable sound of Mezzoforte. Catchy melodies, strong grooves and exciting solos were the key elements.
After the release of the first single, “Garden Party”, on Steinar Records UK in the spring of 1983 the ball really started rolling in the London clubs and discotheques. The song ended up being A listed on the biggest radio stations in Great Britain; BBC One & Capital Radio, leading to an appearance on BBC’s Top of the Pops. “Garden Party” reached number 17 in the British pop charts, which is quite remarkable for an instrumental song. The rest of the world soon responded and a world wide release of both single and album followed.

The next years were spent touring, first in the UK (47 concerts in the summer of ’83), then Germany, Benelux, Scandinavia, Japan and many more countries. The young members of the band were thrilled to be sharing the bill (sometimes even topping it) at various international festivals with some of the biggest stars in jazz & fusion like Steps Ahead, Passport, Weather Report, Al Jarreau and Spyro Gyra to name a few.
In the following years Mezzoforte kept touring and releasing noteworthy albums. Observations, Rising, No Limits, Playing for time and Daybreak all received critical acclaim (though none of them quite matched the commercial success of the surprise hit instrumental, Garden Party).
In the new millennium Mezzoforte have remained active, releasing three albums and a live DVD as well as touring extensively. The energy and sheer enjoyment which this unique band still projects on stage has to be seen to believed.

The list of musicians who have worked with Mezzoforte over the years is quite the who’s who of exciting music. The list of artists that have enjoyed the services of Mezzoforte members over the years is equally impressive.

The core of Mezzoforte has always been the blend of any and all exciting methods to play. To make music in a way that is inspiring to the musicians and interesting and entertaining to an audience. After all this time Mezzoforte remains a playground for individuals who have an almost extrasensory perception of each other. That’s what forty years can do if you stick with what you believe in.There is no re-union needed, this is simply a musical union built to last.

Reference: Mezzoforte.com

Official site