Johnny O'Neill

Johnny O'Neal is a legendary jazz pianist, having performed both as a leader as well as with luminaries such as: Art Blakey (including a one year stint as a member of Blakey's 'Jazz Messengers' ensemble), Clark Terry, Milt Jackson, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Nancy Wilson, Joe Pass, Lionel Hampton, Anita O'Day, Sonny Stitt, Carmen MacRae, Kenny Burrell, Benny Golson, Sarah Vaughn, Wynton Marsalis, and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, among others. His father, Johnny O'Neal, Sr., was a well-known jazz pianist and singer in Detroit. He started his career at age 13 working at New Bethel Baptist Church in his home town of Detroit, MI as church pianist on Sundays for $10 per service. At the time New Bethel was pastored by the legendary Reverend C.L. Franklin, father of Aretha Franklin. His career hit a high when Director Taylor Hackford selected him to play jazz virtuoso Art Tatum in the 2004 biopic Ray (2004), exposing O'Neal to music lovers unfamiliar with his work. He is active in the New York City jazz scene.