Jón Jósep Snæbjörnsson

Infobox Musical artist


Img_size = 150
Name = Jónsi
Background = group_or_band
Origin = flagicon|Iceland Reykjavík, Iceland
Genre = Pop-Rock
Ballad
Years_active = 1997 to current (disbanded)
Label = Skifan (1995–2000)

Jón Jósep Snæbjörnsson or Jónsi (born June 1 1977) is an Icelandic singer and member of the band "Í Svörtum Fötum" ("In black clothing"). He participated on behalf of Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 and finished 19th. He has also competed at Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2007, which is a television show to pick Iceland's song for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Segðu Mér.

Biography

Jónsi is the nickname of Jón Jósep Snæbjörnsson, one of the most popular Icelandic male singer according to 2004 public vote. He was born on June 1 1977 in Akureyri in the northern part of Iceland. Having been singing ever since he can remember, Jón Jósep moved to Reykjavík in 1997 and decided to try for a career in music. He soon got several opportunities as a singer and in 1998 he joined a group of friends who had formed a band and were looking for a singer. The band was named "Í Svörtum Fötum" ("Dressed in Black") and they debuted on January 1 1999, dressed in black suits, white shirts, wearing black ties. After releasing the single "Nakinn" ("Naked") in spring 2001 they earned national recognition when the song reached number two on the Icelandic Chart.

The band landed a four album agreement with Skifan Records in September 2001 and started preparations for their second album. The band has been known for their active live performances and for busy tour schedules. During summer 2002 they worked on finishing their second album "Í Svörtum Fötum", a gold selling album that got good reviews. Theys kept on strengthening their popularity and working on their songwriting in 2003, having even greater success with the third album "Tengsl". Jonsi was nominated Vocalist of the Year at the Icelandic Music Awards 2003 for his powerful performance. He has repeatedly been awarded as Male Vocalist of the Year and Best Live Performer by popular radio stations’ listeners poll.For the past two years Jón Jósep has performed and recorded with many of Iceland’s biggest names and in 2003 he was featured in the starring role of Danny Zuko in the musical "Grease", with Birgitta playing Sandy, making "Grease" one of Iceland’s biggest theater block busters.

External links

* [http://www.jonsi.is Personal site]
* [http://www.isvortumfotum.is Í Svörtum Fötum]