The Tutor
During her opening set at the recent Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, 
Champion Fulton credited pianist Johnny O’Neal with teaching her one of the tunes she maturely finessed out of the piano. I was pleasantly surprised by the respectful casualness with which she revealed her tutor, suggesting a special relationship. Many people (yours truly included) believe that Johnny O’Neal is the most gifted and versatile jazz pianist on the scene today. He is highly revered among acclaimed professionals of all instruments including vocalists. Ms. Fulton’s mention of Johnny O’Neal was, upon reflection, an expression of deep admiration given that his name doesn’t register with many in the jazz public. The recent review in the historic New York Amsterdam News reveals that he is on the radar scene of the astute jazz columnist, Ron Scott.
The Jazz Cruiser
I met Johnny O’Neal on a jazz cruise several years ago. Between sets, he spotted me giving another performer a shoulder massage. My signature hairstyle at the time served notice to Johnny that I was the person front and center at his prior sets. “You really like my playing, uh?” opened the door to a friendship that continues to blossom. I massaged his bone-hard forearm muscles, disbelieving that just moments earlier they had allowed him to play with the fire and finesse often attributed to Oscar Peterson. When the soreness subsided, Johnny said his renewed suppleness enabled his fingers to “fly and feel” at even higher levels during the rest of the cruise.
The Buzz
Always the audience favorite, Johnny’s engaging personality doesn’t detract from his peerless piano skills. Instead of a crutch, his interactions with audiences afford listeners the opportunity to recover from extended up-tempo “Yesterdays” or the heart tugs of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Since moving back to New York City June 2010, Johnny has become a favorite among jazz professionals there; to the delight of the club patrons, he often invites them to join him on stage.
The King
This past Saturday, Tina and I enjoyed The Johnny O’Neal Trio’s late night set at Smoke Jazz & Supper Club. An added highlight for us was watching the great Lou Donaldson sitting “front and center,” occasionally shake his head in amazement. When the set ended, “Sweet Poppa Lou” accompanied Johnny outside the club offering unsolicited praise; Johnny returned to our table stunned, saying “Lou Donaldson said I’m the king of the pianists”. “King” of New York City, North America, the world?…no matter. If “Sweet Poppa Lou” says you’re “King”, enough has been said! The mention of Johnny O’Neal to every pianist I’ve met through Exodus To Jazz – including Mulgrew Miller, Gerald Clayton, Tamir Hendelman, Helen Sung and Danny Grissett – elicits superlatives consistent with that title.
Given that several musicians have expressed a desire to perform with him, Johnny and I have agreed to schedule two concerts this season billed as: “Johnny O’Neal Trio with Special Guest”. His upcoming Exodus To Jazz engagement on November 19, 2011 will feature The Talented Mr. Jeremy Pelt; the special guest for the April 14, 2012 concert will be announced by August 1st.
The Ship
With the New York City buzz swirling around him, it appears that Johnny O’Neal is poised to get his due; his “ship” appears to finally be coming in.
“Rhythmly” Yours,
Jose DaCosta