Much was made of the return ofjazz singer/pianist Johnny O’Neal to the New York jazz scene in 2010. He suddenly left the city in 1986 after being mugged. No one was quite sure where he was living and if, or where, he was performing.
He quietly returned in 2010. Audiences started taking notice, particularly when he released his 2013 album, Johnny O’Neal – Live at Smalls. This week O’Neal returns to the venue for a live-streamed concert that should be at the top of your list. The show takes place on Wednesday, October 14th at 4:45 PM EDT/1:45 PM PDT.
Since his return O’Neal is once again a regular fixture in the music scene in Manhattan. And for good reason. Each of his seven recordings shines a light on a pianist who is the natural extension of a style of piano playing that has its roots in pianists Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum.
One of the reasons for O’Neal’s disappearance was his diagnosis with AIDS. Once he got treatment and was able to manage the disease, he returned to New York. His return to performing was the subject of a fascinating profile in the New York Times by Giovanni Russonello in 2014 that is a great read.
I wasn’t familiar with O’Neal until I read this article. After exploring his music, I immediately became a fan. Not having, yet, the opportunity to see him in person, I’m looking forward to Wednesday’s show.
Joining O’Neal at Smalls will be Mark Lewandowski on bass and Itay Morchi on drums (both of whom are part of the clip above from last year.)
Photo of Johnny O’Neal by Brad Berger/Courtesy O’Neal’s Facebook page
