Ingimar Eydal’s songs endure in Iceland’s memory

Songs recorded by bandleader Ingimar Eydal still hold a strong place in Icelanders’ memories, mbl.is reports, as musicians prepare to honour him at concerts marking 90 years since his birth. The first concert will be held at Harpa on Sunday at 4 p.m., with two further performances scheduled at Hof in Akureyri on November 1.

“The songs live on and, despite the passing years, have an incredibly strong place in the nation’s consciousness,” said Inga Eydal, one of the guest singers. Ingimar, who lived from 1936 to 1993, was a prominent figure in Icelandic popular music. For years, he led one of the country’s most popular dance bands, based at Sjallinn, a dance hall in Akureyri, and the band also performed across Iceland and sold many records.

Inga, who sang with her father’s band in the past, said she was pleased to take part. She will perform songs from the repertoire of the Atlantic Quartet, which was active around 1960 and featured brothers Ingimar on piano and Finnur Eydal on saxophone and clarinet. Her selections include Í rökkurró and Gömlu götu.

The Harpa concert will also feature singers Sigríður Beinteinsdóttir, Stefán Hilmarsson, Bjarni Arason and Matthías Matthíasson. Guest vocalists are Inga Eydal and bassist Grímur Sigurðsson. The programme includes Í sól og sumaryl, Magga, Sumarást, Vor í Vaglaskógi, Á sjó and Hún er svo sæt. A band led by Jón Ólafsson will provide the accompaniment.

Hilmarsson recalled meeting Ingimar when they served on the judging panel for Landslagið, a singing competition organised by Stöð 2 in Akureyri in 1992. He said Ingimar was a decisive and confident chairman.

Hilmarsson said Ingimar was often associated with Akureyri and that his music remains the clearest part of his legacy. Although the songs are not often played on the radio today, he said, many remain familiar to people in Iceland.