Jostein Hasselgård

Early Life and Musical Background

Jostein Hasselgård was born on March 24, 1979 in Fredrikstad, Norway. At just six years old, he began learning to play the piano. This early start at the keyboard laid a strong musical foundation for him. He spent his childhood and teenage years honing his musical skills, showing talent as both a pianist and singer.  By the time he reached young adulthood, Hasselgård was already performing in local venues and developing a smooth vocal style influenced by pop and jazz. 

Education and Musical Training

Determined to turn his passion into a profession, Hasselgård enrolled at the Norwegian Academy of Music (Norges musikkhøgskole) in Oslo. There he received formal musical training and specialized in rhythmic music, jazz, and improvisation. He trained not only as a vocalist but also as a music teacher (pedagogue), preparing for a versatile career in the arts. During his student years, Jostein balanced his studies with work. In fact, he worked full-time as a kindergarten teacher while attending the academy. This experience showed his dedication and ability to multitask. He could educate young children by day and immerse himself in music studies by night. His time at the academy sharpened his vocal technique and stage presence. It also connected him with other musicians and broadened his musical repertoire, from classical pieces to jazz standards.

Melodi Grand Prix and Eurovision 2003

In early 2003, Jostein Hasselgård entered Melodi Grand Prix, Norway’s national competition to select its Eurovision entry. At that point, he was a relatively unknown singer nationally. Nevertheless, he impressed the judges and audience with a ballad called “I’m Not Afraid to Move On.” Hasselgård won Melodi Grand Prix 2003, earning the honor of representing Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest 2003. In the Eurovision final, he delivered a simple yet powerful performance, sitting at a white grand piano on stage and letting his voice and melody shine. The elegant piano-led ballad stood out amidst more flamboyant acts that year. His song finished in 4th place out of 26 entries. At just 24 years old, Jostein’s soft-spoken charm and strong vocals won praise from Eurovision fans and commentators.

Life After Eurovision: Albums and Performances

After his Eurovision success, Hasselgård continued to build his music career in the mid-2000s. Rather than chase instant pop fame, he focused on projects true to his musical style. In 2004–2005 he appeared as a co-host on Julemorgen, a popular children’s Christmas television program on NRK (Norwegian public TV). Hosting a TV show allowed him to broaden his audience beyond Eurovision and showcase his warm personality.

Around the same time, Jostein formed a band under his last name, simply called Hasselgård. He teamed up with friends Tore J. Skauen (drums), Markus L. Johnsen (guitar), and Magnus Westgaard (bass) to create original music. The group’s style blended pop and jazz influences with Jostein’s piano and vocals at the center. In 2006, the band Hasselgård released its debut album, titled A Few Words. This album featured soulful pop-jazz tracks and was a very personal project for Jostein. Although it did not top the charts, the album allowed him to solidify his reputation as a serious musician and songwriter beyond the Eurovision stage. During these post-Eurovision years, Hasselgård also performed live as a soloist. He frequently sang at concerts with big bands and orchestras, sometimes playing piano while singing. His versatile talents enabled him to move fluidly between pop gigs, jazz ensembles, and even church concerts in his hometown. 

Jazz, A Cappella and Teaching Career

Jostein Hasselgård’s love of jazz and choral music led him to an exciting new chapter in 2010. He became a tenor vocalist in the acclaimed Norwegian vocal group PUST (meaning “Breath”). Pust is a six-member a cappella ensemble founded in 2003, known for its creative vocal arrangements blending Scandinavian folk, jazz, and pop elements. As the tenor voice in Pust, Hasselgård spent over a decade recording and touring with the group. Pust released several award-nominated albums and even had one of Norway’s best-selling Christmas records in 2011. With Pust, Jostein’s musicality shone in intricate harmony work and jazz-influenced improvisations. He toured internationally at vocal festivals, sharing stages with legends like Bobby McFerrin and The Manhattan Transfer.

Alongside his performing career, Hasselgård also embraced teaching and mentoring young talent. He had trained as a music pedagogue, and he put those skills to use. Over the years he worked as a vocal coach, piano teacher, and choir conductor, helping others develop their singing abilities. He even led a youth choir in his community, sharing his experience from big stages with aspiring singers. For a time, he was employed as a special education teacher as well, demonstrating his commitment to education. Jostein managed to juggle his day job in education with evening rehearsals and weekend concerts. This dual career in music and teaching highlighted his passion for both arts and helping people.

Personal Life and Current Activities

Despite his early brush with fame, Jostein Hasselgård has always kept a modest profile and a well-rounded life. He remains closely connected to his hometown Fredrikstad, where his family roots are and where he still occasionally performs at local events. In adulthood, he made Oslo his base, especially during his years with Pust and his education work.

In recent years, Hasselgård has focused more on his family and teaching career while still staying active in music. By 2018 he temporarily stepped away from full-time teaching to concentrate on Pust’s busy schedule. After a fulfilling 16 years with the vocal group, he gave his final regular performances with Pust in late 2022, receiving an emotional farewell from his fellow members. Today, in his mid-40s, Jostein works as a music educator in Oslo. In fact, he serves as a college lecturer training new kindergarten teachers. While he may no longer be in the pop spotlight, he continues to share his love of music through teaching, occasional concerts, and choir projects.