Sara Magnúsdóttir

Sara Magnúsdóttir brings a distinct voice to the Hammond organ. Known for her rich, melodic sensibility and deep connection to groove, she blends Nordic folk roots with the soulful depth of jazz and blues. Originally from a small village in Iceland, Sara moved to the U.S. to study jazz performance and big band arranging and composing. During her college years she discovered a deep pull towards the Hammond organ, its power and soulful sound. As for her big band career, Sara has had her compositions performed by professional big bands in both Iceland and the U.S and has received commissions and grants for her work. She has notably arranged a big band piece for jazz legend Joe Lovano in 2024. Sara has been an avid performer in the Icelandic jazz scene for the past 10 years, both as a bandleader with her own projects as well as a sideman. Her debut album as a bandleader, A Place to Bloom, out in August 2025, is a reflection on wanderlust, identity, and belonging—brought to life by some of Iceland’s most accomplished jazz musicians.