Johnny O'Neal

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Johnny O'Neal (2006)

Johnny O'Neal (born October 10, 1956 in Detroit , Michigan) is an American jazz pianist and singer who also plays gospel and blues . In 1997, O'Neal was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame .

Live and act

His father was a pianist and singer, he is self-taught. O'Neal began his career as a teenage gospel pianist in the church. Inspired by Oscar Peterson , Art Tatum and Bud Powell , he explored jazz music from 1976. He was discovered and promoted by Ray Brown and became a member of the band of Milt Jackson . After working for Sonny Stitt , Eddie Lockjaw Davis and Buddy DeFranco , he moved to New York City in 1982 . After playing regularly with Clark Terry , he became a member of Art Blakeys Jazz Messengers (1982-1983). Since then he has mostly led his own groups and recorded for Concord Records , Parkwood and Justin Time . He also worked with Dizzy Gillespie , Joe Pass , Nancy Wilson , Anita O'Day , Lionel Hampton , Kenny Burrell , Sonny Stitt and Benny Golson and performed at festivals in Europe, Australia and Japan. On the 2005 tour of the Ray Charles Band he took part as a pianist.

O'Neal interprets pieces with a lightness, innovative and sensitive, and in a versatility that interweaves gospel, blues and mainstream jazz. O'Neal describes himself as being oriented towards songs. His father pointed out to him that knowing the lyrics of the songs creates dynamism and a better interpretation of the melody. His own compositions are lyrical in this way. He feels obliged to the styles of the masters of jazz.

In the Hollywood film Ray , Ray Charles , played by Jamie Foxx, goes to a nightclub in Toledo, Ohio to see the legendary jazz pianist Art Tatum , played by Johnny O'Neal, performing there . Oscar Peterson recommended him for the role.

Appreciation

Mulgrew Miller states in an interview:

“There are so many outstanding things about Johnny's playing ... Number one: the touch. Johnny has a million dollar touch. Very few people touch the piano like that to get that kind of sound and feeling…. The other thing is his feeling of swing, which is so natural. Then there's Johnny's personality - so engaging. And Johnny can play a ballad like few people, if any. I've always held his talent in the highest regard, and I think he's a very special artist ”

“There are so many striking things about Johnny's play. Two or three of the most conspicuous: First, the attack. Johnny has the one million dollar attack. Very few people hit the piano in such a way that they get that kind of sound and sensation. The other thing is his feel for the swing that is so natural. And there is Johnny's character, a very engaging one. And Johnny can play ballads like few people, if any. I have always valued his talent very much and I think he is a special artist. "

Discographic notes

Albums under your own name
  • Coming Out (Concord Jazz, 1982) with Ray Brown, Frank Severino
  • Soulful Swinging (Parkwood, 1985)
  • Live at Baker's Keyboard Lounge (Parkwood, 1985)
  • On the Montreal Scene (Justin Time, 1995)
  • In Good Hands (Jazzabel, 2002)
  • Live at Smalls (Smalls Live, 2014)
Albums as accompanist
  • Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers: Oh-By the Way ( Timeless , 1982)
  • Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers: Aurex Jazz Festival '83 (EastWorld, 1983)
  • Urbie Green : Just Friends (JLR, 1981)
  • Milt Jackson: Hi Fly (JlR, 1980)
  • Ed Thigpen : Easy Flight (Reckless, 1989)

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Website of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame ( Memento of the original from April 3, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.jazzhall.com
  2. ↑ O'Neal recorded four pieces for the film, but only Yesterdays made it to the big screen. In the credits he is incorrectly given as O'Neill.
  3. ↑ On the DVD Tight from 2006
  4. ↑ Johnny O'Neal Trio. jazz.org, accessed April 27, 2017 .
personal data
SURNAME O'Neal, Johnny
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American jazz pianist and singer
DATE OF BIRTH October 10, 1956
PLACE OF BIRTH Detroit , Michigan