Jakob Frímann Magnússon is a musical chameleon, wearing many hats in the Icelandic music scene and beyond. Born in Denmark but raised in Iceland, Jakob co-founded the legendary Icelandic band Stuðmenn back in his high school days, and they’ve been rocking since the 1970s. Jakob also has a solid solo career, dabbling in jazz fusion and collaborating with some big-name American jazz musicians. He also direct films, produces TV shows, and even had a stint as a cultural attaché in London. His latest outfit, Jack Magnet Science, has just released an album after gathering a bunch of talented musicians in an Icelandic studio to jam and see what happens. And when he has a spare hour or two, Jakob is also a member of the Icelandic parliament and has facilitated some fascinating initiatives for musicians..

To listen / watch:

1. Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:


2. Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel

<iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pMSsmVMfsWs?si=5PGM3QCLVeKTC5zG" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

Jack Magnet Science’s release – Future Forecast

Jakob’s musical upbringing

Studying trumpet and the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra

Check out some of Stuðmenn’s music

An example of Jakob and Stuðmenn’s movie work

More info on the 1982 film ‘On Top’

Long John Baldry

The amazing Alan Howarth

Jakob and Alan in action as The Magnetics

On being a primarily self-taught keyboard player

Jakob Magnússon – Special Treatment

On the origin of the name Jack Magnet

Jakob Magnússon – Jack Magnet

Eyþór Gunnarsson – interview

Eyþór Gunnarsson – Garden Party

Ragnhildur Gísladóttir in action

DiSA in action with Trentemoller

Joni Mitchell – Both Sides Now

Becoming a cultural attache of the Icelandic embassy in London

Being a member of the Althingi (Iceland’s Parliament)

Stephens Electronics recording devices

Desert Island Discs: Sculpture – DiSA, Gaucho – Steely Dan, Black Market – Weather Report, Both Sides Now – Joni Mitchell, Future Forecast – Jack Magnet Science

Key links:

Buy some keyboard related merchandise

Drop us a line via the website, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Twitter, TikTok or LinkedIn

Complete our listener survey to help us improve the show, it only takes 90 seconds.

Support us on Patreon and receive bonus content

Check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

The post Jakob Frímann Magnússon, Jack Magnet Science / Stuðmenn / Composer appeared first on The Keyboard Chronicles.