Schweigaards gate by Benjamín Gísli

The Icelandic pianist Benjamín Gísli is now releasing his first solo album – recorded, mixed, and produced entirely by himself at home in Schweigaards gate, Oslo.

Benjamín has already made a name for himself on the young Norwegian jazz scene with his own trio and as a regular member of several exciting bands, such as Bliss Quintet, Bento Box Trio, and Tuva Halse Quintet. With an intimate and lyrical musical expression, Benjamín now steps forward as a solo pianist with the album Schweigaards gate – an album inspired by the distinctive piano in his Oslo home. The compositions blend cinematic passages, Nordic melancholy, and Icelandic folk melodies, and through minimalist arrangements explore themes such as love, loneliness, and urban life. Comparisons to artists like Ólafur Arnalds and Tord Gustavsen are not far off, but with Schweigaards gate, Benjamín clearly presents a unique voice – as a pianist, composer, and storyteller.

“It is at the piano at home in Schweigaards gate that I find inspiration and compose most of my music. By recording the music here, I feel that the listener gets a more personal picture of me as a composer and musician. In the recordings, I’ve tried to capture the atmosphere of the room and preserve the songs in their most honest and unpolished form – an expression shaped by spontaneity and a refusal to compromise. Several of the pieces came into being during the recording itself, and I’ve also included a number of improvised tracks based on different moods and emotions connected to the place and the life I live.”

Benjamín Gísli Einarsson is an Icelandic pianist and composer with a unique ability to tell stories and create atmosphere. Through his melodic piano playing and expressive improvisations, he has made a name for himself as one of the most exciting young voices on the Nordic jazz scene. Inspired by legends such as Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett, his playing reflects both his classical background and his Icelandic roots. For Benjamín, the piano is more than just an instrument – it is a way to explore, feel, and communicate. His music moves freely between structure and spontaneity, tradition and innovation, and he is always seeking new ways to connect with his audience.

Since completing his bachelor’s degree at the Jazz Department at NTNU in Trondheim in 2022, Benjamín has become a sought-after musician both in Norway and in Iceland. He actively performs with bands such as Bliss Quintet, Bento Box Trio, and Tuva Halse Quintet, and in 2023, his own ensemble, the Benjamín Gísli Trio, released its debut album Line Of Thought, which received international acclaim.

Benjamín Gísli Einarsson (b.1996) is a young aspiring pianist and composer from Iceland who merges his lyrical introspective style with his background in jazz and classical music.

www.benjamingisli.com

benjamingisli.com