Program Notes
Jeff Olsen Percussion Recital, 1-21-01
Jeff Olsen, percussion / drum kit
Matt Heinecke, electric guitar
Derek Polischuk, synthesizer
Concerto for Giacomo
Music historians of the late twentieth century will suggest that although the rock band "Giacomo" (Olsen, Heinecke and Polischuk) did not play any original material at their numerous performances, their music was, in fact, "really good to dance to."
Giacomo was formed in the spring of 1998 in a dorm room in College-University Residence Hall. While the band's lineup has changed several times with an unending search for a bass player, the three core members are those you see here today.
I have always held firm in my belief that a recital should be an accurate reflection of the performer. Some might argue that such a reflection is often attained at the expense of professionalism; those same skeptics would claim that my inclusion of a rock band in my senior (and presumably serious) recital is a breach of etiquette. I strongly disagree. For nearly four years, I have worked with Matt and Derek, and we have all become close friends. For me to ignore this part of my life, for me to ignore this fact of my musical experience at USC, that would be the breach in etiquette.
Bear McCreary's Concerto for Giacomo is a piece inspired by the individual energy each member of Giacomo has when we play together. Bear has done an amazing job of synthesizing the individual emotions of three fabulous players into one last hurrah for the band. This, ladies and gentlemen, is quite possibly Giacomo's last performance.
-Jeff Olsen
