Biography Eric Olsen has crafted a distinguished career in both classical and jazz music, as a pianist and organist, composer, and conductor. Schooled at the prestigious Indiana University in the classical and jazz traditions, these influences have given him the tools to create music in his own unique way. Eric’s approach to jazz often blend classical stylistic and formal elements, and his classical music displays an interpretive freedom reminiscent of improvisation. Two recent recordings which exemplify his musical approach are Dyad, a duo jazz project with saxophonist Lou Caimano, and Jazz Inspired Classics, a solo piano album of jazz influenced works by classical composers. His discography includes classical recordings as a soloist, an accompanist, and choral music conductor, jazz recordings, and a new meditative or New Age recording called Arcadia with his brother, virtuoso guitarist Peter Olsen. Mr. Olsen’s diverse musical abilities give him the opportunity to create music with a wide variety of esteemed musicians in the classical and jazz worlds. Since moving to the NY Metropolitan area in 1992, Eric has performed, recorded, or collaborated with jazz artists Billy Hart, Mike Clark, Eliot Zigmund, Tim Horner, George Garzone, Ed Cherry, Bucky Pizzarelli, Amiri Baraka, Pharoan Aklaff, David Baker, Dominic Spera, Steve Johns, Don Miller, Kermit Driscoll, Glenn Davis, Jim Donica, Chris Bowman, Justin Flynn, John Isley, Lou Caimano, B.D. Lenz, Earl May, Andy McKee, Mike Lee, Mike Karn, Tony Cimorosi, Rob Middleton, Patience Higgins, and Gail Allen. In the classical realm he has worked with singers Kevin Maynor, Betty Allen, Klara Barlow, Walter Cassel, Patricia Cioffi, Margaret Harshaw, James King, Martha Lipton, Stephen Oosting, Giorgio Tozzi, and Virginia Zeani, and a host of other musicians. Eric Olsen has performed at jazz festivals and at Birdland and the Knitting Factory in NYC with his jazz group Urban Survival. He has played classical music with orchestras in the US, in recital at Carnegie Hall’s Stern and Weill Halls, and overseas in France, Germany, India and New Zealand. He has given numerous classical and jazz piano recitals in the NY Metropolitan area. In addition to his busy performing schedule, Mr. Olsen is Director of Music and Organist at the Union Congregational Church in Montclair, NJ. He has conducted his own composition Fugue on Hark the Herald Angels Sing, as well as Fauré’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Bush’s Christmas Cantata, Flagello’s The Passion of Martin Luther King, Mecham’s Seven Joys of Christmas, Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio Part I, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, and Pärt’s Berlin Mass with members of the NJ Symphony. He has given numerous recitals with his wife, Pamela, an accomplished soprano. He is an Adjunct Faculty member at Montclair State University, and a member of the Piano Faculty at the Judith Wharton Music Center in Murray Hill, NJ. Mr. Olsen holds two Master’s degrees in Piano Performance and Jazz Studies from Indiana University, and a Bachelor’s with High Distinction in Piano and Organ Performance from Syracuse University. |
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