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Tom Olstad

b. 1953

Jazz drummer

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About Tom Olstad

Born 1953. Tom Olstad is a Norwegian jazz musician and composer.

Tom Olstad (born 13 April 1953 in Gjøvik, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz drummer who has performed on many recordings.

Career Olstad has lived in Oslo since 1973, when he started his musical studies at Østlandets Musikkonservatorium and University of Oslo, with a graduate thesis on the Jazz Life in Oslo at the 1980's (1992). In Oslo, he joined different jazz orchestras led by Harald Gundhus, Alf Kjellman/Ola Calmeyer, Guttorm Guttormsen, Vidar Johansen/Åsmund Snortheim, Erik Andresen, Atle Hammer, Carl Magnus Neumann, Odd Riisnæs, Christian Reim, Karin Krog, Vidar Johansen Trio including with Kåre Garnes, 1990–, Laila Dalseth/Totti Bergh Quartet, Brinck Johnsen, Merethe Mikkelsen, Sverre Kjelsberg, Magni Wentzel, Kjell Karlsen and Paul Weeden.

Olstad has collaborated in bands like Støff, Søyr, Python, Ab und Zu, Winds Hot & Cool and Radiostorbandet. He has also performed played with United States musicians such as Art van Damme, Art Farmer/Kenny Drew, Benny Bailey, James Moody, Eddie Harris. His first solo album was Changes for Mingus (2007) comprising original compositions inspired by the work of bassist Charles Mingus.

Discography

Solo albums 2007: Changes For Mingus (Ponca Jazz)

Collaborations Trio with Ivar Antonsen & Stig Hvalryg 2011: A Day at the Opera (Ponca Jazz)

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Important facts

People in Tom Olstad's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Tom Olstad's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Tom Olstad?

Jazz drummer

When was Tom Olstad born?

Tom Olstad was born on 13 April 1953 in Gjøvik Municipality.

What is Tom Olstad's occupation?

Tom Olstad is a jazz musician and composer.

What nationality is Tom Olstad?

Tom Olstad is Norwegian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Tom Olstad

· Wikidata: Q16733734

· DBpedia: Tom Olstad

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Tom Olstad. https://biography.guide/tom-olstad/

MLA: "Tom Olstad." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/tom-olstad/.

Chicago: "Tom Olstad." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/tom-olstad/.

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