Øystein Skar is a Norwegian pianist and composer known for his work across electronic music, jazz, and modern classical music.
He began studying classical piano at the age of six and later pursued jazz and improvisation under ECM pianist Misha Alperin at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo.
Skar toured and recorded with some of Norway’s top musicians and artists before shifting to electronic music and studio work. He then spent over a decade in the pop industry as a member of the band Highasakite, earning multiple Norwegian Grammys, platinum albums, and performing at Oslo Spektrum, the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, and alongside bands like Of Monsters and Men and London Grammar. He also collaborated with artists such as Aurora and Sigrid, as well as key jazz figures including Per Zanussi, Jon Eberson, and Per Oddvar Johansen.
In 2024, he released his debut solo piano album Hem on Moderna Records, which received international acclaim and radio play on stations such as KEXP and ByteFM. He has performed across Europe, including on Germany’s Radio Eins and Deutschlandfunk Kultur, and celebrated the album with a concert at the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet.
Skar has composed for dance, theatre, and television, receiving multiple grants and awards. He contributed to the acclaimed production Utafor at The Norwegian Theatre, which won two Hedda Awards, Norway’s most prestigious theatre prize.
In 2025, he released the EP Stories for A, dedicated to his daughter.
