Ivar Thomassen, Norwegian folk singer-songwriter, Died at 62

  Music, Writers

Ivar Thomassen was born on July 19, 1954, and died on November 28, 2016.

He was a Norwegian folk singer, songwriter, and jazz pianist from Russenes in Porsanger, Norway.

Ivar worked as district musician in Vadsø, from 1989 to 1997, Thomassen seriously started to compose and perform folk songs.

His Themes in these ballads has included the county and the region’s nature, culture and history.

Songs like «Imella multebær og mygg» (In between cloudberries and mosquitos) and «Det artige landet» (The funny country) are frequently performed by local choirs and are well known among people from Finnmark.

He was also active as a pianist in big bands and jazz ensembles, and contributed with his own compositions in this context.

Ivar Thomassen did school concerts, arranged music, composed choral works and gave piano lessons.

He recided in Alta and taught at the program for music, dance, and drama at Alta High School.

Ivar Thomassen also wrote the youth book Operasjon kråkereir (Operation crow’s nest).

Ivar Thomassen passed away at 62 years old.