Constantly seeking new colors and expressive possibilities, Frode Andersen is one of the most versatile and widely used classical accordionists in Scandinavia. As a soloist, chamber, theater, and orchestral musician, he effortlessly moves from the most experimental and avant-garde expressions to the core of classical music as well as folk music, klezmer, cabaret, tango, and crossover genres. And whatever he plays, it is with a easily recognizable, colorful tone that, onone hand, seems to blend with the instruments he is playing with at any given time, but on the other hand, always stands out - prominently and present.

Frode was born on Askøy near Bergen in Norway. He is trained as an accordionist at the Royal Danish Academy of Music; first with Professor Mogens Ellegaard, later with Geir Draugsvoll and James Crabb. He completed his studies in 1997 with a debut from the Soloist Class in a program consisting exclusively of works by contemporary composers. The following year, he also debuted in Norway as one of the Debutants of the Year. Since then, Frode has been active as a freelance chamber musician, soloist, and theater musician.

Frode states: ”As classically trained, traditions and history are important. And this applies to all genres of music. However, I always try to avoid letting history and traditions stand in the way of music communicating directly and unconditionally to today's audience”. 

Frode has recorded numerous CDs for Edition Dacapo, Bridge Records, Cantaloupe, and Gateway records. Together with violinist Hanne Askou, he forms the duo Askou//Andersen, which in recent years has gained much attention for their CDs and concerts throughout Denmark. He also regularly performs with the klezmerband Mazel and with folkmusic-accordion player Mette Kathrine Jensen Stærk. 

In addition, Frode Andersen has been involved in various music organizations and has served as an administrator and organizer for a number of events and institutions in the Danish music scene. From 2006-2010, he was the producer and artistic director for Esbjerg Ensemble, and from 2011-2013, he was appointed as a member of the Danish Arts Foundation's Music Committee. Today, he is - besides still being a very active freelance musician - project manager for Concerto Copenhagen.