Graf resides in Los Angeles, US, where he is working as a keyboard player, songwriter, and producer. He has been involved in numerous projects during the years, composing much of the music in addition to playing keyboards on the albums
New Born Day (1973),
Ranshart (1974) and
Let Your Light Shine (1976) within the band Ruphus. They received great acclaim in Norway and in several European countries, including Germany. He also played in the band 'Moose Loose' including with
Jon Eberson. Later they opened the band Blow Out together. He also initiated the band
Hawk on Flight with Matz Nilsson, Niels Nordin, and
Ulf Wakenius. Graf has played with
Pål Thowsen on several of his albums and received
Spellemannprisen for best jazz album in the alternative genre. The tune "Nearly in Rio" composed by Graf was highlighted during the citation. Graf was a judge on the 1988 Spellemann Committee for the jazz category. Graf has also cooperated with
Jan Garbarek and
Jon Christensen, and the trio toured extensively in Norway. This was a collaboration that started in the late 1970s. He has also released several jazz albums with his band Graffiti, accompanied by tours including
Scandinavia, Germany and the US. He has a long musical career behind him, and have cooperated with a series of famous musicians such as
Roger Daltrey,
Alan White,
Jamie Moses,
Natasha Bedingfield,
Phil Collins,
Mark Hudson and
Simon Kirke. In Norway, he has also worked with
Terje Rypdal, and arranged, composed and produced the music for
Finn Kalvik.
Keyboard Player magazine reviews Graf as "a spirited and intelligent player. Rather than exhaust the audience with non-stop flash, he builds his solos carefully, keeping the listener interested from beginning to end. He has chops to spare, but never scoundrels them. I can't wait to hear more from him". The Coast Radio, Las Vegas when reviewing Graf states: "Haakon's talent is never ending, he has great passion for his music. He is one whose talents need to be recognized in his ability to write and create great compositions. The Coast Radio and myself MJ have enjoyed his music and his interview. Haakon is very professional, and I wish him all the best in his projects to come and hope to hear more of him in 2011." == Selected discography ==