With 20 professional years behind him,  Björn Thoroddsen is now a leading exponent of classical mainstream jazz guitar playing in Iceland. A previous rock renegade, he graduated from the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA. in 1982. His formative years in jazz were spent in the combo of the late and soon legendary pianist Guðmundur Ingólfsson, whose inspired album, Þjóðlegur fróðleikur ("National yarn") may in many ways be compared to Jan Johanssons classic Jazz på svenska. Thoroddsen also has played in the theatre, on radio and TV, as well as with various ensembles such as The State Radio Big Band, The Iceland Chamber Orchestra, Kuran Swing and The Egill Ólafsson Tamla Band. He has appeared with numerous international artists like Niels-Henning Ørsted Petersen, Philip Catherine, Doug Raney, Jukka Lincola, Alex Riel. Deter Lockwood, Sylvain Luc, Jacob Fischer, Richard Gillis  og  Kristian Jörgensen and many others. Last year saw the forming of Guitar Islancio, an acoustic "chamber" jazz trio with Björn and  pop/rock veteran guitarist/composer Gunnar Þórðarson on guitars and Jón Rafnsson on double bass. The trio has issued a CD devoted to gentle jazzifications of icelandic folk songs. Founding his first trio in 1993, Björn Thoroddsen has also been active in the field of musical education, first as a teacher at the Musicians' Union (FÍH) School of Music. He was principal of the New Guitar School (Nýi Gítarskólinn)1987-1992. A charter member of the New Music School (Nýi Músikskólinn), he has held the post of headmaster there since 1994, and has to date written 3 books for guitar students,  Jazz, Rock and Blues (1982), Gítarbókin, vols. 1 (1993) and 2 (1995; all published by BT Músík). Björn started composing at an early age, his official début taking place in 1982 with the release of his first record. By now seven records with his own compositions have been published, in addition to several works of his recorded on other composers' records. Björn Thoroddsen was honored 2002 by being elected Official Artist in Gardabaer in Iceland. His Band, Guitar Islancio was the first Icelandic jazzband to get a "Gold CD" for outstanding sale of they first CD. "Guitar Islancio". Guitar Islancio was also "Musical Group of the City of Reykjavík" in 2000 and 2001. Björn was most recently honored by being awarded the Icelandic Music Awards for Jazz Performer of the year 2003.