Mezzoforte, an instrumental jazz-funk fusion band from Iceland, were formed in 1977. The original line-up included Eyþór Gunnarsson on keyboards, Jóhann Ásmundsson on bass, Gunnlaugur Briem-Gulli Briem on drums, and Friðrik Karlsson on guitars. They launched their career after signing a record deal with Icelandic label Steinar. Mezzoforte's breakthrough came with their 1983 single "Garden Party", which reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart. The track featured a notable flugelhorn solo by English trumpeter Stephen Dawson and was later covered by Herb Alpert. Another significant single, "Rockall", spent one week at number 75 on the same chart. Mezzoforte released their debut self-titled album in November 1979, followed by subsequent albums including Surprise Surprise (1982), Observations (1983), and Forward Motion (2004). Throughout their career, Mezzoforte have seen various line-up changes, with key members including Bruno Müller on guitars, Sebastian Studnitzky on trumpet & keyboards, Thomas Dyani on percussion, and Jonas Wall on saxophones. They continued to tour into the 2020s. Saxophonist Kristinn Svavarsson, member from 1982 to 1985, died on in January 2026, at the age of 78.
