O’Neal, Johnny
Smalls Live, 2025, CD
Instrument: Piano
Issue: 31.4
Jazz Ruler Type: Classic
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 83
O’s Notes: Neo-bop, jazz pianist, and vocalist Johnny O’Neal is quite the entertainer. His style incorporates stride, ragtime, and blues, with passionate, earthy vocals. He starred as Art Tatum in the movie “Ray” and delights his own audience equally well on this live release, Everybody Loves Johnny. Bassist Luke Sellick and drummer Itay Morchi round out the band. O’Neal rouses the crowd with “Home Boy”, “Come Sunday/Did I Ever Really Live”, and “Chicago”, a few of our favorites in the set of 8 selections.
Publicist: Lisa Reedy Promotions
