Johnny O'Neal

[Joe G]

http://www.johnnyoneal.org/index2.html

Johnny was the headliner Saturday night at this year's Old Town Jazzfest, in Lansing. What an amazing player and singer! In the trio with him were two excellent Lansing-based musicians: bassist David Rosin and drummer Randy Gelispie (note to randissimo: Randy says "hi" - to the cat he calls "Martian" ).

But the best part was the hang afterwards in the green room. To the delight of myself and about 4 or 5 others, Johnny and Randy held court for about 3 and 1/2 hours, telling stories about all the greats with whom they've worked: Monk, Ray Charles, Ray Brown, Milt Jackson, Wes, Blakey, etc., etc. etc. You don't hear that kind of shit everday.

[sidewinder]

I recall hearing him many years ago in a London performance with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (I wonder if that was the lineup with Blanchard and Harrison?) and he was excellent. Sounds like a fun 'hang' !