Henriksen was born in Stranda and educated on the Jazz program at Trondheim Musikkonservatorium; he later studied music pedagogy, while he played in Bodega Band (1987–88), Luft (1987–89), Veslefrekk from 1989, Close Enough 1990–92, Nutrio from 1990, and recorded with Bjørn Alterhaug and Tre Små Kinesere (1990).

[1] He has played among others with Misha Alperin, Jon Balke's Magnetic North Orchestra, Nils Petter Molvær, Audun Kleive, Trygve Seim, Terje Isungset, Christian Wallumrød and recently with Iain Ballamy's Food for Quartet and Supersilent, both bands signed on Rune Grammofon.

He has also contributed to David Sylvian's Nine Horses project and his work, When Loud Weather Buffeted Naoshima.

[1] With Supersilent he has been a major contributor to one of the most acclaimed improvisational bands over the last 14 years in Norway, with collaborations with Terje Rypdal among others.

[3] John Kellman of the All About Jazz magazine recognized the Arve Henriksen/Jan Bang Double CD Release Show at The Punkt Festival, Kristiansand, Norway, September 2013, as no.