Born 7/6 1955 Hamar, Norway start of professional careeer as musician in 1974,in various groups of improvised music in Norway, such as the groups of Radka Toneff, Arild Andersen, Karin Krogh, Jon Eberson Etc.

From 1979 numerous collective projects and recordings with musicians from India, Gambia, Germany, UK, USA and Scandinavia, including Archie Shepp, John Surman, Jon Christensen, Marilyn Mazur, Nguyen Le, Paolo Fresu and others.

From1982 Balke has composed music for theatre plays, art exhibitions, big bands, and chamber groups as well as continuing works with different jazz groups