Home » Jazz Musicians » Will Connell
Will Connell
Will Connell received a CAPS grant for orchestral composition in 1980 and has recorded with Chico Hamilton, various William Parker ensembles, including the Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra, the Walter Thompson Big Band, the composer's collective Commitment, and Steve Swell. He has performed and/or toured with Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Horace Tapscott, Sam Rivers' Winds of Manhattan, David Murray Big Band, Cecil Taylor, Anthony Braxton, Pharoah Sanders, Butch Morris, Roy Campbell, Billy Bang, Tito Nieves, Elton John, Ryan Adams, and many others. As a copyist/arranger he has worked for musicians ranging from Ornette Coleman, Julius Hemphill, Matthew Shipp to Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, Michael Jackson, Simon and Garfunkel. His compositions have been recorded by Azar Lawrence, David Murray, and Don Pullen. He is currently a member of the composer's collective Silverback,featuring Frank Lacy, Newman Taylor Baker,and Hilliard Greene, his own ensemble Sadhana, with Vincent Chancey, French Horn, the Sound Vision Orchestra, Steve Swell's N.O.W. Ensemble, and Cecil Taylor's Orchestra. Mr. Connell has been profiled in The Dark Tree, a book about the Los Angeles Black Arts, written by Steven Isoardi and published by California University Press.
Tags
Andrea Brachfeld New Release 'Walking The Bar' Features Bill O'connell, Harvie S, Jason Tiemann
Source:
Scott Thompson Public Relations
Welcome to Andrea Brachfeld’s latest single project, Walking the Bar featuring the members of her band, Insight, with Bill O'Connell on piano, Harvie S on bass, and Jason Tiemann on the drums. This single was recorded in January of 2024 at Trading 8’s studio in Paramus, New Jersey. The story behind the creation of this composition is described by Andrea: I was at a bar and started to hear some music in my head. When I got home I wrote ...
read more
Bill O'Connell New Release 'Live In Montauk' (Savant Records) Featuring Randy Brecker, Billy Hart, Craig Handy And Santi Debriano! Release Date: June 23rd
Source:
Scott Thompson Public Relations
Montauk—the easternmost point of Long Island—has enjoyed a reputation as an idyllic land of the lotus and poppy but now is fully woven in to the Hamptons summer scene. The charms and views associated with that coastal existence served as a backdrop for the creation of this recording. Notable for a number of reasons—as the first live band date in a lengthy discography, and a first on-record meeting with drumming icon Billy Hart—this Bill O’Connell session stands out. Recorded live ...
read more
Andrea Brachfeld & Insight with Bill O'Connell, Harvie S, and Jason Tiemann release 'Evolution' on May 20
Source:
Scott Thompson Public Relations
A central figure of New York City’s jazz & Afro-Cuban scenes over the last five decades, flutist Andrea Brachfeld, like most artists over the last two years, found a great amount of time to reflect on their art, community and humanity. For Evolution, Brachfeld’s writing was affected by her dive into children’s issues and the ongoing need of basic necessities even in the best of times. The added pandemic led her to a wide-range of musical sources, each reflecting some ...
read more
Loss Of A Quiet Giant: Will Connell 1938-2014
Source:
John Pietaro
By John Pietaro I was heartily saddened by the sudden unexpected phone call: downtown’s unsung hero of Free Jazz, Will Connell, Jr., was hospitalized and non-responsive. Immediately the jazz and new music community rallied and the outpouring of love for Will was apparent. We’d all been preparing for his big moment at the front of the stage, his week-long residency at the Stone, set to occur in December. None of this made sense yet one day later, November 19, the ...
read more
Album of the Week: Triple Play Plus Three, Bill O'Connell
Source:
The Latin Jazz Corner by Chip Boaz
Bill O'Connell Triple Play Plus Three Zoho Music
More than any other context in jazz, the art of trio performance is dictated immensely by the involved musicians. The basic formation of three musicians provides a perfect balance of structure and freedom—there's just enough people to keep everyone focused upon form and style while the sparse setting leaves ample room for improvisation. The balance can sway depending upon the musicians's personalities, which keeps things interesting. An artist ...
read more
New York Latin Jazz Pianist Bill O'Connell Releases "Triple Play Plus Three" on Zoho Records.
Source:
Two for the Show Media
New York Latin Jazz pianist Bill O'Connell's “Triple Play Plus Three" is an innovative spin on the traditional jazz trio format, featuring percussionist Richie Flore and a rotating cast of celebrity guests—all multiple GRAMMY winners—clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera, vibraphonist Dave Samuels, and flutist Dave Valentin. “Triple Play Plus Three" presents eight lively, virtuosic O'Connell originals, plus two 20th century classics by Thelonius Monk ('Round Midnight") and Kurt Weill ("Speak Low"). Thelonious Monk's signature composition 'Round Midnight, has been totally re-harmonized by ...
read more
Bill O'Connell's Triple Play Coming to the Jazz Standard - June 17th, 2008
Source:
Two for the Show Media
Pianist & Composer Bill O'Connell will be performing with his Triple Play Trio (featuring Dave Valentin) at The Jazz Standard in New York on Tuesday July 17th, 2008. The performance is in celebration of his new Savant Recording “Triple Play" - Set Times are 7:30 PM & 9:30 PM Bill O'Connell's Triple Play: Bill O'Connell - piano Dave Valentin - flute Anthony Carrillo - percussion Bill O'Connell Triple Play Jazz Standard - ...
read more
Rob Scheps with Marvin Bugaloo Smith & Bill O'Connell July 27 in Upstate New York
Source:
All About Jazz
Photos
Music
Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson
