Career
Hystad is leder of his own Ole Jacob Hystad Quartet, originally comprising additional Sigurd Ulveseth (bass), Ben Besiakov, (piano), and Stein Inge Brækhus (drums). Later the quartet substituted Brækhus with Alex Riel for their second album Tune in – take out (2002), and has lately consisted of Dag Arnesen (piano), Sigurd Ulveseth (bass) and Frank Jakobsen (drums). He also played in Bakeriet Bluesband, and on releases by the musicians Atle Hansen, Lars Erik Drevvatne and Ole Amund Gjersvik, and been at the forefront of Stord Jazz and Blues Festival.
The Hystad brothers toured United States and Canada vith Terje Rypdal"s Crime Scene as part of Bergen Big Band.