Laufey is an Icelandic pianist and composer who brought jazz-inflected pop to mainstream audiences with her 2023 album Bewitched. Her approach merges classical training with contemporary production, creating a sound that appeals equally to jazz enthusiasts and pop listeners. She has become a significant figure in demonstrating how jazz harmony and improvisation can anchor modern songwriting without sacrificing accessibility.
Why we love this
Laufey's arrangements sit at the exact intersection where jazz comping meets pop songwriting, giving students a direct window into how these worlds inform each other. The melodies are strong enough to carry a room, but the harmonic language keeps musicians intellectually engaged throughout.
What to expect
Laufey's writing has an intimate, almost introspective quality even when the energy rises. There's a lightness to the orchestration that makes you lean in to listen, paired with harmonic sophistication that rewards close attention. The music feels like a conversation between you and the listener rather than a performance at them.
Who it's for
Jazz ensemble students exploring contemporary applications of chord substitution and reharmonization; pop and musical theater singers building fluency with jazz voicings; pianists looking for repertoire that treats their instrument as both a harmonic engine and a melodic voice.
How to get the most out of it
Anchor the comping in the rhythm section before layering vocals; the piano voicings only land properly when bass and drums establish their pocket.
Pay attention to the tension between the notated chord changes and where the melody lands against them; this slight offset is what creates Laufey's signature floating quality.
Balance the pop sensibility with respect for the jazz harmony; these arrangements live in nuance, not overstatement.
How to use it
Feature this as a bridge piece in a jazz concert, especially if you're programming alongside standards or classical repertoire; it signals to audiences that jazz is a living, evolving language. It also works beautifully as a solo recital piece for students showcasing their range across genre boundaries.
Skills your students will build
Jazz voicing and chord substitution in a pop context
Balancing melodic phrasing across harmonic movement
Reading and interpreting contemporary notation conventions
Accompanying singers with jazz comping techniques
Understanding how rubato and rhythmic flexibility interact with notated time signatures
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