Absolute Stereo rock band Bio Page

Absolute Stereo at Ground Zero
University of Southern California

About the Band...

Absolute Stereo, for those of you who don't know us, has its roots in the emerald city of Seattle. Both Ken and Graham were born and raised in that coffee and computer town, and headed to the stretching vastness of LA to go to the University of Southern California for music. Once in Southern California, we found the funkiest piano player that we could, and started writing music together. We're not really sure how to classify our music, but we're open to suggestions. It's rock, funk, jazz... help us out with this one... but we hope you like it, no matter what you'd like to call it. Show us some love, and spread the word on the new sound that is coming out of the city of angels.

Ken Belcher Ken started playing piano at age 4, and guitar at age 10. With the help of a midi keyboard he wrote original music for piano, guitar and vocals, and won numerous awards for his compositions. In high school, Ken broadened his musical training to include both classical and vocal jazz choirs, classical voice, classical guitar, and performed lead roles in musicals. He received third place in Washington State Solo and Ensemble for classical guitar and received first, second and third place awards for classical voice. He also played in a rock band and a folk band. He has worked as a guitarist on a cruise ship, and has done pit band work. Ken graduated in 2006 from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Music in Studio/Jazz Guitar Performance. At USC he studied with Adam del Monte, Frank Potenza, David Oakes, Richard Smith, Steve Trovato, Pat Kelley, Nick Stubis and Anthony Wilson in the Studio/Jazz Guitar department. In Los Angeles Ken also plays with The Jazz Three-O, Kevin Bachelder and Sun Engine, Fast Back, and Paul Dateh and the Live Movement and other groups. With Absolute Stereo, Ken has a chance to sing and play much of his original music. He also co writes some of the songs with bassist Graham Hitchcock. Check out his web site, kenbelcher.com

Ken Belcher - guitar/vocals

David Greiman was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in St. Louis where his mother, Susan Carlson, introduced him to the piano and percussion (with pots and wooden spoons). He began studying piano and percussion at the age of 7 and began performing as a pianist in St. Louis clubs at the age of 15 after becoming interested in jazz. During high school, he also performed with R&B and classic rock groups as a drummer. Since graduating from University City High School (’02) he attends the University of Southern California where he studies with Shelton Berg, Alan Pasqua and Russell Ferrante. David also plays in the Los Angeles area with Paul Dateh and the Live Movement and other groups. When home in St. Louis he plays with the New Orleans-style Funktet Goombada and the Raisin’ Hell Quartet. David has kept an ear in many genres, citing Miles Davis, Rachmaninoff, Ravel, Paul Simon and Maceo Parker as a few of his most significant influences.

David Greiman - keys

Graham Hitchcock graduated from the University of Southern California in 2006 with a BS in Jazz Studies. While there he studied under jazz bass legend John Clayton. Graham has been playing jazz professionally for the last seven years. He started studying at 13 with Seattle jazz and bass guru Ev Stern; formed his own group under his name at 14; recorded his first album at 15. Since then he has moved on to study with Doug Miller of New Stories fame, and Barry Lieberman, former head of the Los Angeles Philharmonic; both currently heads of bass in jazz and classical at the University of Washington. During high school, the Seattle Times jazz critic Paul De Barros remarked "Excellent high school bass player Hitchcock leads a hot bop band." (2000-10-13) Graham’s performance credits include: A private benefit dinner for President Clinton, the opening of Frank Sinatra Hall under Quincy Jones, playing various venues in Seattle and Los Angeles. His recordings include: No Trick to It, Piping Hot, Perspectives (The Graham Hitchcock Quartet), La Danza en mi Corazon (Omar Torrez and Orpheus) Back to Delight (Charlene Maeder), Every Dog has its Day (Joe Morgan), Hi-Fidelity (Absolute Stereo), as well as several albums that are in the process of finalizing with other artists. In Los Angeles he also plays with Paul Dateh and the Live Movement and other groups.

Graham Hitchcock - bass

Jef Van Veen grew up in Leiden, The Netherlands. In 1989 he was accepted to study at the Royal Conservatory of Music in The Hague. In 1993, Jef continued his studies at the Musician's Institute in Hollywood, CA. From 1994-2001 he worked as a session drummer for numerous studio, band and television projects in London and The Netherlands and also served on the teaching faculty of Cesar Zuiderwijk's drum school in The Hague. Currently residing in the Los Angeles area, Jef stays busy with session work and documentary film score projects. Click on Sessions at his website jefvanveen.com to see who Jef has been working with.

Jef VanVeen - drums



Absolute Stereo at Ground Zero University of Southern California	About the Band... Absolute Stereo, for those of you who don't know us, has its roots in the emerald city of Seattle. Both Ken and Graham were born and raised in that coffee and computer town, and headed to the stretching vastness of LA to go to the University of Southern California for music. Once in Southern California, we found the funkiest piano player that we could, and started writing music together. We're not really sure how to classify our music, but we're open to suggestions. It's rock, funk, jazz... help us out with this one... but we hope you like it, no matter what you'd like to call it. Show us some love, and spread the word on the new sound that is coming out of the city of angels.
Ken Belcher Ken started playing piano at age 4, and guitar at age 10. With the help of a midi keyboard he wrote original music for piano, guitar and vocals, and won numerous awards for his compositions. In high school, Ken broadened his musical training to include both classical and vocal jazz choirs, classical voice, classical guitar, and performed lead roles in musicals. He received third place in Washington State Solo and Ensemble for classical guitar and received first, second and third place awards for classical voice. He also played in a rock band and a folk band. He has worked as a guitarist on a cruise ship, and has done pit band work. Ken graduated in 2006 from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Music in Studio/Jazz Guitar Performance. At USC he studied with Adam del Monte, Frank Potenza, David Oakes, Richard Smith, Steve Trovato, Pat Kelley, Nick Stubis and Anthony Wilson in the Studio/Jazz Guitar department. In Los Angeles Ken also plays with The Jazz Three-O, Kevin Bachelder and Sun Engine, Fast Back, and Paul Dateh and the Live Movement and other groups. With Absolute Stereo, Ken has a chance to sing and play much of his original music. He also co writes some of the songs with bassist Graham Hitchcock. Check out his web site, kenbelcher.com		Ken Belcher - guitar/vocals
David Greiman was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in St. Louis where his mother, Susan Carlson, introduced him to the piano and percussion (with pots and wooden spoons). He began studying piano and percussion at the age of 7 and began performing as a pianist in St. Louis clubs at the age of 15 after becoming interested in jazz. During high school, he also performed with R&B and classic rock groups as a drummer. Since graduating from University City High School (’02) he attends the University of Southern California where he studies with Shelton Berg, Alan Pasqua and Russell Ferrante. David also plays in the Los Angeles area with Paul Dateh and the Live Movement and other groups. When home in St. Louis he plays with the New Orleans-style Funktet Goombada and the Raisin’ Hell Quartet. David has kept an ear in many genres, citing Miles Davis, Rachmaninoff, Ravel, Paul Simon and Maceo Parker as a few of his most significant influences.		David Greiman - keys
Graham Hitchcock graduated from the University of Southern California in 2006 with a BS in Jazz Studies. While there he studied under jazz bass legend John Clayton. Graham has been playing jazz professionally for the last seven years. He started studying at 13 with Seattle jazz and bass guru Ev Stern; formed his own group under his name at 14; recorded his first album at 15. Since then he has moved on to study with Doug Miller of New Stories fame, and Barry Lieberman, former head of the Los Angeles Philharmonic; both currently heads of bass in jazz and classical at the University of Washington. During high school, the Seattle Times jazz critic Paul De Barros remarked "Excellent high school bass player Hitchcock leads a hot bop band." (2000-10-13) Graham’s performance credits include: A private benefit dinner for President Clinton, the opening of Frank Sinatra Hall under Quincy Jones, playing various venues in Seattle and Los Angeles. His recordings include: No Trick to It, Piping Hot, Perspectives (The Graham Hitchcock Quartet), La Danza en mi Corazon (Omar Torrez and Orpheus) Back to Delight (Charlene Maeder), Every Dog has its Day (Joe Morgan), Hi-Fidelity (Absolute Stereo), as well as several albums that are in the process of finalizing with other artists. In Los Angeles he also plays with Paul Dateh and the Live Movement and other groups.		Graham Hitchcock - bass
Jef Van Veen grew up in Leiden, The Netherlands. In 1989 he was accepted to study at the Royal Conservatory of Music in The Hague. In 1993, Jef continued his studies at the Musician's Institute in Hollywood, CA. From 1994-2001 he worked as a session drummer for numerous studio, band and television projects in London and The Netherlands and also served on the teaching faculty of Cesar Zuiderwijk's drum school in The Hague. Currently residing in the Los Angeles area, Jef stays busy with session work and documentary film score projects. Click on Sessions at his website jefvanveen.com to see who Jef has been working with.		Jef VanVeen - drums