Haakon Graf born in Oslo Norway march 21, 1955

Classical pianolessons from age 6.
Started composing at age 10, heard Jimmy Smith on Hammond B3 at age 12, and started playing
organ in musicstores.
Had plans to be an architect, but music took most of his time.

Was asked to join norwegian prog-roch band " Ruphus " in 1971, and composed their first LP " New Born Day " released on Polydor in 1973.

Since then composed and recorded many albums both as leader and sideman.

Some collaborations:

Phil Collins, Frank Gambale, Harve Mason, Paul Jackson & Mike Clarke, Airto Moreira & Flora Purim, Jan Garbarek, Jon Christensen, Terje Rypdal, Palle Mikkelborg, Jack De Johnette, Miroslav Vitous, Dom Um Romao.

Musical Leader:

Ruphus 3 albums on Polydor: New Born Day, Ranshart, Let Your Light Shine.
Hawk On Flight feat Ulf Wakenius guitar. Matz Nilsson bass, Niels Nordin drums
Grafitti feat: Dennis Chambers, Gary Grainger, Ulf Wakenius CD " Good Groove " Lipstick Records
GRS Trio Walfredo Reyes Jr, Chris Stefanetti
Ahi Nama afrocuban band in Oslo, Norway www.myspace.com/2ahinama


Haakon Graf was described in The Keyboard Magazine feb 1994

" A spirited and talented player who has chops to spare. He never flashes with his technique, but keeps the listener interested from beginning to end by building his solos with a deep musical insight."

for musicsamples and info:

www.myspace.com/hgraf

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