Internationally-acclaimed Icelandic jazz keyboardist Sunna Gunnlaugs has recently released Songs from Iceland, an adventurous 5-track album as sophisticated and unique as it is relaxing and inspirational.

An interesting note: The material was recorded in the studio back in 1999 and has just now made its way onto CD.  

Gunnlaugs will perform selections from the album in a special concert on June 13 at the Fellowship of the Inner Light in Virginia Beach. She'll be joined by husband and Virginia Beach native Scott McLemore on drums and Norfolk’s own Jimmy Masters on bass. 

In the online exclusive interview, Sunna provides insight into the making of Songs from Iceland. Here’s what she had to say.   

Were any of the tracks found on Songs from Iceland intended for the Mindful CD?

No the plan was just to record Mindful. The session went really well and at a point I felt that we had enough takes but there was still time left over. These were tunes that we had been playing on gigs so I decided to record them also.  

The tracks on Songs from Iceland are first takes with no edits. Isn't that jazz at its best?

Being the perfectionist that I am I probably would have done second takes if we had had the time. But often the first takes are the best as far as energy and spontaneity goes. That's when the tune is still fresh.                                                                                                                   

Why did you decide to release these five songs now, nine years after they were recorded?

At the time I felt that I didn't have enough material for an album so I put it in a box and sort of forgot about it. Then in 2005 I moved from New York back to Iceland and the masters popped up again. After keeping a low profile for a few years, focusing on expanding our family, I felt it was time to get back into the swing of things and it seemed like a good idea to start by releasing Songs from Iceland.  At first I thought I would just make it available in digital format and then it felt ok to release a 30 minute album but one thing lead to the next and I ended up pressing CDs.  

Tell us about these five songs. Are they traditional songs from Iceland rearranged in a jazz style? T

he songs are traditional, all but one which is from a German opera but really known in Iceland as an Icelandic song. They aren't really rearranged in a jazz style but rather used as vehicles for improvisation. The melody is so strong in these songs that they allow for re-harmonization and provide a frame for open improvisation without losing the fundamental narrative and lyrical foundation.  

Will you perform these songs in Virginia Beach?

I will perform some of them along with standards and some new material that I am recording in New York with my quartet that month.

What are your plans for the remainder of 2009?

I am really excited about this trip to the US. On Iceland's Independence Day, June 17th, I will be performing with my NY quartet on the roof of House of Sweden in Washington DC. That is such an unusual setting and seems way cool somehow. My quartet is also playing in Brooklyn and then making a new recording. I plan to come back to the US in fall to promote that record and set up tours of Europe for 2010. I like touring but since I have two little girls I feel that I can't be away for too long at one time.  

If the opportunity arose, would you collaborate with Icelandic pop artists Bjork or Sigur Ros?

Absolutely! I would collaborate with any good musician of any genre.  I think Björk and Sigur Ros are great and would love to work with them. Maybe some day.... who knows.  

Are you creatively inspired by the Icelandic environment?

When I lived in NY I was inspired by all the great music around me. I was totally immersed in it. In Iceland my life is more centered around my family and kids, but I think I feel inspired by the scenery and nature. I really like seeing the ocean and the mountains every day, they have an uplifting and yet calming effect. I think that being musically creative is a need I have to respond to. Playing the piano makes me feel good, and to me it's like meditating or doing yoga.  

Are you more creative at home in summer or winter?

I think summers since we have 24 hour daylight. I don't like the darkness and December through February are pretty dark. But in summer it's also so tempting to just enjoy being outside that I don't know if I actually get more done.  

What is your favorite venue to perform in Iceland.

This is a hard question. There aren't many venues here with a good piano and nice acoustics for jazz. I think Salurinn in Kopavogur (where I live now) is probably the nicest as far as acoustics go but it is a formal concert hall. I enjoy more performing in smaller venues where the audience is close to the performers and I can feel their energy while I am playing. 

WANT TO GO? Sunna Gunnlaugs, Scott McLemore and Jimmy Masters in Concert

Start Time: Saturday, June 13 at 7:30pm

End Time: Saturday, June 13 at 9:30pm

Where: Fellowship of the Inner Light, Virginia Beach

Admission: $15 

Songs from Iceland is available at www.sunnagunnlaugs.com, on iTunes and CDbaby and www.sunnagunnlaugs.bandcamp.com.