Jon Josep Snabjornsson or Jonsi (born 1 June 1977) is an Icelandic singer and a former member of the band I svortum fotum (“In black clothing”). He represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 and finished 19th. Jonsi once again represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan in a duet with singer Greta Salome, qualifying for the Eurovision final and finishing in 20th place. Jon Josep also performed the opening theme song to the Icelandic children’s television show LazyTown.
Jonsi is the nickname of Jon Josep Snabjornsson, one of the most popular Icelandic male singers according to 2004 public vote. He was born on 1 June 1977 in Akureyri in the northern part of Iceland. Having been singing ever since he can remember, Jonsi moved to Reykjavik in 1997 and decided to try for a career in music. He soon got several opportunities as a singer and in 1998 he joined a group of friends who had formed a band and were looking for a singer. The band was named I Svortum Fotum (Dressed in Black) and they debuted on 1 January 1999, dressed in black suits, white shirts, wearing black ties. After releasing the single “Nakinn” (“Naked”) in spring 2001 they earned national recognition when the song reached number two on the Icelandic Chart.
The band landed a four album agreement with Skifan Records in September 2001 and started preparations for their second album. The band has been known for their active live performances and for busy tour schedules. During summer 2002 they worked on finishing their second album I svortum fotum, a gold selling album that got good reviews. They kept on strengthening their popularity and working on their songwriting in 2003, having even greater success with the third album Tengsl.
Jonsi was nominated Vocalist of the Year at the Icelandic Music Awards 2003 for his powerful performance. He has repeatedly been awarded Male Vocalist of the Year and Best Live Performer by popular listeners’ polls on radio stations.
Jonsi has also performed and recorded with many of Iceland’s biggest names and in 2003 he was featured in the starring role of Danny Zuko in the musical Grease, with Birgitta playing Sandy, making Grease one of Iceland’s biggest theater block busters.
2004
In 2004, Jonsi represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with a song called “Heaven”, which finishing 19th in the final.
2007
He tried to represent Iceland a second time in Eurovision by competing during the eliniating process of Songvakeppni Sjonvarpsins 2007, which is a television show to pick Iceland’s song for the Eurovision Song Contest. He sang “Segdu Mer” but failed to qualify.
2012
Again, Jonsi represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan in a duet with singer Greta Salome with the song “Never Forget”, finishing 8th in the first semi-final to qualify for the Eurovision final where it finished 20th.
