The mulgrew miller - johnny o'neal piano duel: rematch

Mulgrew Miller was motivated to play jazz watching a television performance of his idol Oscar Peterson. Reflecting the additional influences that range from Art Blakey to Tony Williams, Mulgrew routinely offers interpretations that leave audiences awed by his harmonic, melodic and rhythmic expressions. His 400+ recordings as leader and sideman attest to his stature among fellow musicians.

Mulgrew’s career breakthrough occurred when he appeared as the substitute pianist for Mercer Ellington's big band while in his early 20s; his extended stint with the orchestra ran from 1977 to 1980. His other major career opportunities include stints with Betty Carter, Woody Shaw, and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. In addition, Mulgrew was a founding member of the Tony Williams Quintet (1986-1994) and has led his own group, Wingspan, since the late 1980s.

Johnny O’Neal’s swinging and highly melodic playing affirms the influences of his idols Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum. Three events affirm his acclaimed musicianship: 1) playing a solo during a Carnegie Hall tribute to Oscar Peterson, 2) his 1998 induction into the Jazz Hall of Fame and 3) playing Art Tatum in the award winning feature film “Ray”. Johnny’s musical skills enabled stints with Ray Brown, Milt Jackson and Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers (as Mulgrew Miller’s replacement in 1986). Johnny performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughn, Joe Pass, Nancy Wilson, Anita O’Day, Lionel Hampton, Kenny Burrell, Sonny Stitt, Benny Golson, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis and Clark Terry, among others.

Ivan Taylor has been playing the bass since age 9. He had stellar high school musical experiences, playing with the Illinois All-State Jazz Band, the Grammy Band, and jazz masters Orbert Davis and Von Freeman. Ivan was a star performer at the 2002 Essentially Ellington competition where he met Wynton Marsalis; this meeting led him to enroll in the Julliard School of Music. In addition to touring with Mulgrew Miller, Ivan plays with Soul Cycle, the Julliard Jazz Orchestra, and studies with Ron Carter.

Rodney Green , inspired by Elvin Jones and Tony Williams, was recruited at an early age to perform in groups led by Christian McBride, Eric Reed, Greg Osby, Joe Henderson, Benny Green, and Tom Harrell. A two-year stint with Diana Krall advanced his musical maturity, and provided the foundation for performances in groups led by many jazz greats including Herbie Hancock, Betty Carter, Terell Stafford, George Benson, Charlie Haden and Shirley Scott.