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Tom Hasslan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tom Hasslan
Tom Hasslan performing in 2019
Tom Hasslan performing in 2019
Background information
Born1983 (age 42–43)
Kongsberg, Buskerud
OriginNorway
GenresJazz, prog-rock
OccupationMusician
InstrumentGuitar
LabelRune Grammofon

Tom Hasslan (born 1983) is a Norwegian jazz guitarist from Kongsberg.[1]

Career

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Hasslan began playing guitar at the age of 13 and made his debut at the Kongsberg Jazzfestival in 2007.[2] He is primarily known for his work with the bands Krokofant and Soft Ffog, although he has also performed as a solo artist and in various collaborative projects. In 2017 he participated in a commissioned work by Morten Qvenild for the Kongsberg Jazzfestival.[3][4]

Krokofant

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Krokofant was originally formed as a duo with drummer Axel Skalstad before expanding into a trio with saxophonist Jørgen Mathisen (The Core, Zanussi Five).[1][5] The band represented Norway at the Young Nordic Jazz Comets showcase programme in 2014.[6]

For the band's fourth and fifth studio albums, the line-up was expanded with keyboardist Ståle Storløkken and bassist Ingebrigt Håker Flaten.[7]

Krokofant was signed to Rune Grammofon until 2023, when the band joined Is It Jazz? Records, a label under Karisma & Dark Essence Records.[8]

Following the death of Axel Skalstad in 2025, the band went on hiatus before returning in 2026 as a quartet featuring drummer Ole Mofjell and bassist Rune Nergaard.[2][9]

Krokofant's music combines improvised jazz, progressive rock and jazz rock, drawing comparisons to artists such as Mahavishnu Orchestra, King Crimson, Terje Rypdal and Peter Brötzmann.[6][10] Hasslan has cited Genesis and King Crimson among his influences.[11]

Soft Ffog

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Soft Ffog began as a solo project for the Kongsberg Jazzfestival in 2016 before evolving into a full band in 2020.[12][13] Alongside Hasslan, the group featured drummer Axel Skalstad, bassist Trond Frønes (Red Kite, Grand General) and keyboardist Vegard Lien Bjerkan (replacing Erlend Slettevoll from the 2016-lineup).[14] Following Skalstad's death, drummer Martin Langlie joined the band.[15]

Soft Ffog performs a blend of progressive rock, jazz fusion and improvisation. The band's music has been described as a cross between King Crimson and Terje Rypdal, and between Deep Purple and Pat Metheny, while also drawing inspiration from bands such as Camel and Focus.[14][16][17]

The band is signed to Is It Jazz? Records.

Musical style

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Hasslan's guitar playing is characterised by extended improvisational passages and melodic themes. Critics have highlighted his ability to move between progressive rock, psychedelic and jazz-oriented idioms within the same solo.[18][19]

Soft Ffog has been described as more melody-driven and rooted in 1970s progressive rock than Krokofant, whose music places a greater emphasis on improvisation and heavier jazz-rock textures.[20][21][22]

Awards and recognition

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  • 2010 – Recruitment Award, Kongsberg Jazzfestival[23]
  • 2014 – Norwegian representative at Young Nordic Jazz Comets with Krokofant

Discography

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With Soft Ffog

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  • 2022: Soft Ffog (Is It Jazz? Records)
  • 2025: Focus (Is It Jazz? Records)

With Krokofant

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Filmography

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  • Hjerte i jazzen (2015) – documentary film (as himself)[26]

References

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  1. 1 2 Helgheim, Roald (2015-11-14). "KrokoSant!" (in Norwegian). Dagsavisen. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
  2. 1 2 Storfossen, Jan (2026-04-11). "Tom (42): Mølla-helt både med mopp og gitar". Laagendalsposten (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  3. ↑ "Where do we go from here?". Kongsberg Jazzfestival. 2017-07-06. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  4. ↑ Jazzinorge (2017-01-20). "Qvenild med bestillingsverk til KongsbergJazz". Jazz i Norge (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  5. ↑ Bryne, Lars (2021-09-16). "Krokofant med ny kraft". Laagendalsposten (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  6. 1 2 Slaattun, Camilla (2014-08-29). "Krokofant til nordisk showcase". Norsk jazzforum (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  7. ↑ Hauknes, Johan (4 Oct 2021). "Fries frying in the Krokofantish pan". salt-peanuts.eu. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  8. ↑ "Progressive Jazz rockers Krokofant join the Is It Jazz? Records roster. - Is it Jazz? Records". 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  9. ↑ "Krokofant". Energimølla (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2026-06-19. Etter det tragiske tapet av trommeslager Axel Skalstad i 2025, valgte Tom Hasslan og Jørgen Mathisen å føre bandet videre. Med seg har de nå Ole Mofjell på trommer og Rune Nergaard på bass [After the tragic loss of drummer Axel Skalstad in 2025, Tom Hasslan and Jørgen Mathisen decided to continue the band. They are now joined by Ole Mofjell on drums and Rune Nergaard on bass]
  10. ↑ "Krokofant - release". Nasjonal Jazzscene (in Norwegian Bokmål). 2026-08-14. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  11. ↑ Bryne, Lars (2021-09-16). "Krokofant med ny kraft". Laagendalsposten (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  12. ↑ "New voices: Tom Hasslan - Kongsberg Jazz Festival". Kongsberg Jazzfestival. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  13. ↑ "Soft Ffog - Kongsberg Jazz Festival". Kongsberg Jazzfestival. Retrieved 2026-06-19. At the Kongsberg Jazz Festival in 2016, a quartet under Tom Hasslan's direction played as part of the concert series 'Nye stemmer'. Great success - and after a break, the band is now back under the name Soft Ffog
  14. 1 2 "Soft Ffog – Soft Ffog". Karisma & Dark Essence Records. 2025-11-16. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  15. ↑ Bratlie Haugland, Thomas (2026-02-02). "Nyttårskonsert på Kampen Bistro". Facebook. Med seg på laget har de heldigvis supertrommeslager Martin Langlie [Fortunately, they have the excellent drummer Martin Langlie on their team.]
  16. ↑ Hammerø, Tor (2025-05-09). "Soft Ffog – «Focus»". Nettavisen (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  17. ↑ "Soft Ffog – Focus (reviews)". Is it Jazz? Records. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  18. ↑ Murphy, Lorne (2025-02-10). "Krokofant – 6 (Karisma / Is It Jazz? Records)". Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  19. ↑ Astarita, Glenn (2026-06-13). "6 – Krokofant Review". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  20. ↑ Thomas, Graham (2025-07-09). "Soft Ffog – Focus". T P A. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  21. ↑ "Jazz Rock". PATRICIA THOMAS BAND MANAGEMENT. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  22. ↑ "Reviews RCD2177". Rune Grammofon. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  23. ↑ "Reunion with award winner". Kongsberg Jazzfestival. 2015-07-04. Retrieved 2026-06-19. Previous award winners: […] Tom Haslan (2010)
  24. ↑ "Tom Hasslan". Discography. Discogs.com. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
  25. ↑ "Krokofant - Krokofant III (Rune Grammofone, 2017) ****½". Rune Grammofon. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
  26. ↑ "HEART IN JAZZ - Kongsberg Jazz Festival". Kongsberg Jazzfestival. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
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