Jazz in July: The Legendary Johnny O'Neal Quartet at Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay

After five decades as a pianist, vocalist, and entertainer, Johnny O’Neal stands as a true jazz master. A 2025 Jazz Legacies Fellow, his storied career includes collaborations with Ray Brown, Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, and Sarah Vaughan, a Carnegie Hall debut opening for Oscar Peterson, and induction into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. Largely self-taught, O’Neal’s virtuosic, swinging style draws from Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, and Barry Harris, fused with his own melodic flair. Whether scatting, blues shouting, or delivering soulful ballads, no two performances are ever the same. A beloved fixture on the New York jazz scene and a mentor to rising talent, O’Neal bridges the golden era of jazz with its ever-evolving future. His shows are rich in spontaneity, lyricism, and deep musical conversation—proof that true legends don’t just preserve tradition; they keep it alive and thriving.

Featuring:

Guitar - Raphael Silverman
Bass - Joey Ranieri
Drums - Itay Morchi