Jazz Articles about Johnny O'Neal

About Johnny O'Neal

Album Review

It is always a treat to hear a singer who trusts the song. On Hey Love!, recorded at Van Gelder Studios in October 2025, Lucy Yeghiazaryan takes the direct route, usually the most forgiving. There are no conceptual detours here, no attempts to modernize the Great American Songbook by dismantling it. Instead, Yeghiazaryan takes control of the tradition, accompanied by musicians who understand its swing. And it is a great group of players. Tenor saxophonist Grant Stewart, who also co-arranged ...

Album Review

Lucy Yeghiazaryan: Hey Love!

Read "Hey Love!" reviewed by Katchie Cartwright

by Katchie Cartwright
June 19, 2026

The excellent New York-based singer Lucy Yeghiazaryan and her stellar band may have you thinking back to Carmen McRae in the 1950s as you listen to Hey Love!--groups with Wendell Marshall, Kenny Clarke, and other hard bop-era musicians. On her 2026 release, Yeghiazaryan has the ubiquitous Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums, with Tardo Hammer at the piano, Grant Stewart on tenor saxophone, and Bruce Harris on trumpet. Johnny O'Neal sings with her at the piano on ...

Album Review

Art Blakey And His Jazz Messengers: Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers Strasbourg 82

Read "Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers Strasbourg 82" reviewed by Jack Kenny

by Jack Kenny
December 6, 2025

This album captures a special concert and a pivotal moment in the history of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. It documents the re--formation of the band following the departure of trumpet player Wynton Marsalisand saxophonist Branford Marsalis. The new recruits--trumpeter Terence Blanchard and alto saxophonist Donald Harrison--were eager to prove their abilities, injecting the band with palpable energy. As was his custom, Blakey, the veteran bandleader, played with the fire and intensity of a musician just starting out. The ...

Album Review

Johnny O'Neal: Everybody Loves Johnny O'Neal

Read "Everybody Loves Johnny O'Neal" reviewed by Pierre Giroux

by Pierre Giroux
June 4, 2025

In the pantheon of jazz pianists and entertainers, Johnny O'Neal occupies a special niche--equal parts master technician, soulful interpreter, and irrepressible entertainer. Everybody Loves Johnny O'Neal, recorded live at Pyatt Hall, Vancouver, BC, captures the pianist and vocalist at his most relaxed and radiant. The date finds O'Neal in the company of two exceptional rhythm players -bassist Luke Sellick and drummer Itay Morchi, who anticipate his every move, no matter how sudden the detour. The set ...

Radio & Podcasts

Johnny O'Neal, Somi, The Ostara Project, Blossom Dearie and More

by Jua Howard
May 6, 2025

Greetings Music Family! It's finally time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I've got new music from Johnny O'Neal, The Ostara Project, Hard Bop Messengers and Kurt Elling; and more timeless music from Nancy Wilson, Somi, Blossom Dearie, Bilal, The RH Factor and many more. Come get lost in the music with me! Playlist Intro 00:00 Benny Benack III “I Only Have Eyes for You" from One of a Kind (La Reserve) 2:36 Atlantic Jazz ...

In Pictures

23rd Punta Del Este Jazz Festival In Uruguay (Third Night)

by Pablo Reyes
January 26, 2019

For its third night on Saturday, January 5, the 23rd Punta del Este Jazz Festival in Uruguay featured Johnny O'Neal's trío with an homage to Joe Williams. The trio of bassist Mark Lewandowski, drummer Itay Morchi, and pianist/singer O'Neal also welcomed special guest Grant Stewart on tenor saxophone. Pianist Benny Green's trio with bassist David Wong and drummer Aaron Kimmel also performed that evening. The Al Foster quartet with Adam Birnbaum on piano, Doug Weiss on bass, Chris Potter on ...

Album Review

Johnny O'Neal: Live at Smalls

Read "Live at Smalls" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi

by Angelo Leonardi
June 13, 2014

La vicenda del pianista Johnny O'Neal ricorda quella dei molti jazzmen usciti repentinamente di scena e in qualche caso riscoperti in età avanzata. Il suo caso non ha avuto la risonanza che ebbe il ritorno di Henry Grimes un decennio fa ma ha catalizzato comunque l'attenzione degli appassionati. Gran parte del merito va a Spike Wilner, il proprietario dello Smalls di New York, che ha più volte ospitato il pianista nel suo club, facendogli anche incidere questo lavoro ...