Krokofant is a Norwegian experimental jazz-rock trio formed in 2011 and comprising guitarist Tom Hasslan, saxophonist Jørgen Mathisen and drummer Axel Skalstad. Hailing from the town of Kongsberg, the band's explosive music blends free jazz, progressive rock, raw improvisation and quasi-metallic energy. Their name, a humorous contraction of "krokodille" and "elefant", reflects their powerful hybrid approach. Their debut album Krokofant (2014), released on the Rune Grammofon label, lays the foundations for their wild, unbridled sound. This was followed by Krokofant II (2015) and Krokofant III (2017), which confirmed their status in Scandinavia's avant-garde jazz scene. From 2019 onwards, the band occasionally expands by collaborating with musicians such as Ståle Storløkken (keyboards) and Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (double bass), giving rise to more structured and orchestrated albums such as Q (2019) and Fifth (2021), again for Rune Grammofon. Known for their intense stage performances and technical virtuosity, Krokofant is weakened by the loss of one of its members, drummer Axel Skalstad, who died on June 9, 2025 in his 33rd year.
