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.