He is known as leader of his own Quartet and as part of the Bergen Big Band with cooperations with Teje Rypdal, John Surman and Karin Krogh.

Hystad was born in Stord and was classically educated at Griegakademiet, University of Bergen.

Han ga ut Cafè Hysen Noir (2000), with contributions by Guttorm Guttormsen, Harald Dahlstrøm/Håkon Berge/Atle Halstensen piano, Yngve Moe/Sveinung Sand bass, Tarald Tvedten trommer, Erlend Fauske gitar.

[1] He conduct his own Jan Kåre Hystad Quartet including Dag Arnesen (piano), Frank Jakobsen (drums) and Sigurd Ulveseth (bass).

The follow-up Vargtime 2 – four cousins (2006), with musicians Ole Jacob Hystad, Tor Yttredal and Gunnar Onarheim (saxophone), as well as Heidi Torsvik and Oddbjørn Hanto (vocals), was released simultaneously as Staalesen's Dødens drabanter (2006).