Jens Book-Jenssen (1910 - 1999)

Jens Book-Jenssen is the greatest recording artists of all times in Norway. Since his debut in 1933, via his last reordings in 1986, he has sold more than 3 million records in Norway alone.

Jens Peter Book-Jenssen was born on Nov 14 1910 as the son of Paulina Book from Åsgårdstrand and gardener Olaf Jenssen from Hamar. He grew up at the farm Store Stabekk outside Oslo with her 5 year older sister Margot and 5 year younger brother Fin.

He early showed interest and talent for music, and got his first instrument, a fiddle, at the age of 6. He was also fond of sports and was active in bandy and football during his teens. In 1931 he did his duty in the army.

In 1932 he responded to an advertisement from the Star Hall (Stjernesalen) in Bergen and got his first official engagement as a singer, entertainer and musician. His growing reputation reached to Oslo, and in 1933 he made his recording debut with Ancora Bar. Following that he was engaged by the leading music hall directors at the time,
Victor Bernau and Einar Rose, to star in their show.

His career took off in a wide scale and he became King of Comic Theatre and Record sales for decades to come. Already in the mid-1950s he became the first Norwegian artist to sell over one million records. You can hear him tell the story of his life and career (in Norwegian) in the soundbook from 1985 - Det er lov å være bli’ - available at your digital music shop. Besides the story of his life, you get 40 selected recordings.

To his 2007-album Et vennlig ord (A friendly word), a video with Jens Book-Jenssen was produced.

His latest release Alle går rundt og forelsker seg contains 20 tracks from NRK’s archives reproduced with additional instruments and voices. See presentation on the NRK News Dec. 4, 2012

His awards include: