How a classical cellist became the TikTok ambassador for jazz
In short: From performing as a soloist with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra at age 15 to winning Grammys, Laufey is bridging the gap between generations. By blending classical training with jazz pop, she is reportedly bringing a vintage, honeyed sound back into the modern mainstream.
Born in Reykjavík to an Icelandic father and a Chinese mother, Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir grew up in a multilingual environment, speaking Icelandic, English, and Mandarin Chinese. Her musical foundation was deeply classical; she began piano at four and cello at eight, eventually graduating from the Berklee College of Music in 2021. This rigorous training, influenced by her mother—a classical violinist—and legends like Ella Fitzgerald, provided the technical backbone for her unique genre-blending style.
While her music is often categorized as jazz pop or traditional pop, critics note a complex tapestry of bossa nova and classical elements. This aesthetic extends to her fashion, a hyperfeminine style dubbed 'Laufeycore' by Teen Vogue, characterized by lace, bows, and vintage-inspired silhouettes. Her rise was significantly aided by digital platforms; her jazz standard covers on TikTok earned her the reputation of a 'TikTok jazz ambassador,' helping to revitalize a genre that had seen a commercial decline.
Her discography reflects a rapid ascent in the industry. Following her 2020 debut single, she released the EP 'Typical of Me' in 2021 and the chart-topping 'Everything I Know About Love' in 2022. Her second album, 'Bewitched,' earned her a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album in 2024. Most recently, her third album, 'A Matter of Time,' released in August 2025, continued this streak, securing another Grammy in the same category and cementing her status as a leading figure in contemporary pop.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Laufey (singer)
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