Håkon Magnar Skogstad (1989) is a Norwegian pianist and composer. Classically trained and versatile, his music is a symbiosis of Argentine tango, classical and jazz. He is a solo artist as well as the pianist of several critically acclaimed groups and has played concerts throughout Norway as well as in the US, Argentina, Germany, Austria and Sweden.
Håkon Skogstad has received several awards and scholarships including The Fulbright Scholarship, The Paul Okkenhaug Prize and Performing Artist in Residence at International House in New York. His training includes Bachelor's and Master's degree in classical performance from The Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim and Manhattan School of Music, New York. In 2022, he completed his PhD in Artistic Research at NTNU in Trondheim. He is currently funded through an artist grant from the Arts Council of Norway.
“…his playing is total precision and full of fiery emotion.” (Dick Metcalf, Contemporary Fusion Reviews)
Skogstad has performed, composed and arranged in the style of Argentine tango music extensively since 2005. His works include pieces for solo, small groups and full symphonic orchestra. In his critically acclaimed solo album "Two Hands to Tango" he set out to reformulate the piano as solo instrument in his "nuevo tango" style, heavily influenced by bandoneon players such as Astor Piazzolla. His second solo album which was also critically acclaimed - "Visions of Tango", he collaborated with the Trondheim Soloists and violinist Atle Sponberg. The album features Skogstad's Concerto for Piano and String Orchestra as well as arrangements of works by Piazzolla
“Skogstad’s touch is rich and romantic […] a collection of tasty treats”
(George W. Harris, jazzweekly.com)