Icelandic-Chinese singer Laufey creates one-of-a-kind experiences on stage
Blending collaboration with exploration, Laufey showcases musical versatility during her ‘A Matter of Time’ tour, writes Music News Blitz’s Madi Chantry.
Born and raised in Reykjavík, Iceland, Laufey (pronounced Lay-vay) grew up in a musically-oriented household. Both her mother and late grandfather played classical violin, inspiring her to pursue music as a career.
At age four, Laufey began playing piano, and when she turned eight, she started learning the cello.
When she was 14, she made it to the finals on Ísland Got Talent (Iceland's Got Talent).
Soon after, Laufey turned 15 and performed as a cello soloist with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra.
In 2020, Laufey released her first major single, Street by Street, which became a number-one hit on Icelandic Radio.
Street by Street was later seen on her 2021 EP, Typical of Me.
Her musical upbringing was evolutionary, and it is no wonder she has become a world-renowned jazz-pop star.
Music opinion: Women are making jazz cool again
Jazz originated within African-american communities in New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th century.
It became popular globally during the prohibition era in the 1920s and was the main genre until the 1940s and 1950s when Bebop rose in prominence.
Popular jazz artists include Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and John Coltrane – an era that was defined mostly by the male artists of the time.
The 1950s and 1960s solidified that jazz was no longer a main genre, instead being replaced by Rock & roll.
In recent years, jazz has had a resurgence, with female artists at the forefront, writes Music News Blitz’s Darshan Kaur Gill.