Norwegian composer, saxophonist, singer, and professor of music. He represents composers’ interests in the work of numerous professional councils and organizations.

AWARDS AND HONORS
In 2026, Bendik Hofseth was knighted and awarded the Order of St. Olav.

REPERTOIRE
Hofseth has released 17 albums of his own music — a personal synthesis of different genres and styles. Among his artistic collaborators are Junior Wells, Talvin Singh, Django Bates, Ray Phiri, Nana Vasconcelos, as well as many musicians from the Nordic countries.

Four saxophone concertos were dedicated to him and were premiered by him.

As a composer, in addition to music for his own ensembles, he has written numerous commissioned works for various ensembles, as well as music for film, theatre, and television.

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY
Bendik has toured extensively worldwide, performing in various formats with musicians such as John McLaughlin, Hariprasad Chaurasia, and Rickie Lee Jones, as well as with chamber and symphony orchestras.

For several years, he founded and directed his own festival ESSENS in Norway, which combined chamber music and jazz. He has also served as President of the World Composers Council (CIAM) and held several key positions at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations for intellectual property.

He is currently the head of NORCODE, an organization dedicated to developing the music industry and building its infrastructure in emerging markets.