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Brian O'Neal
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Brian O’Neal first discovered his love for music at the tender age of six, when he began taking drum lessons. Although Brian (known to his friends as “Bean”) learned to play many instruments including saxophone, bass, and trombone, he aspired to be a professional drummer until his sophomore year in high school, when his grandmother “Daisy” purchased his first piano at age sixteen. Brian’s excitement for piano developed from experimenting with melodies and chords. His skills matured, developing him into a self-taught Pianist. He received a full piano/music scholarship to Alcorn State University in 1984.
During the mid-eighties, Brian began experimenting with jingles. His love for movies and children inspired him to write film scores and music for youthful audiences. While writing jingles for companies such as McDonalds Corporation, Brian was also in demand to tour with several bands. He’s been a member of two Rock bands, four Top-40 bands, and currently a Contemporary Jazz band music director. Brian has also shared the stage with artists such as Will Downing, Morris Day and the Time, India.Arie, Fantasia, Angela Bofill, Monica, Me’Shell Ndegeocello, Magic Johnson, Rachelle Ferrell, The Isley Brothers, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Alex Bugnon, George Duke Pieces of a Dream, Ruben Studdard, Chaka Kahn, Stevie Wonder, Najee, and Jeff Lorber.
In 1994 Brian ventured from Michigan to Atlanta, GA to start his own production company called BCO Media, Inc. Brian has produced music for Kathy Avalon, UNV, Kem, Mark Marcell, Eddie Oliver, Tiye Mahammad and a host of other up and coming talents alike. He was a member of the local Atlanta Jazz group called “Take Notes” and has written most of their original pieces.
His recent CD compilation is titled "Daisy." "Daisy" pays tribute to his late grandmother Daisy O’Neal who both influenced and nurtured his musical endeavors. It expresses a multifaceted array of compilations, polished flavor and much more. On it, he exploits his versatility with an explosive composition called "Daisy" the title track of his newly release sophomore CD, as well as the melodic sound of the track “No Words Necessary” which symphonically takes you on a magical journey of self expression without words. The song titled "Mesmerized" is one of his favorite musical productions, which sustains an array of positive energies from all who embark upon it.
As a writer, producer, composer, and performer, Brian has a keen natural ability to create musical landmarks that bring out a variety of moods and emotions.
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Brian O'Neal
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Brian O'Neal](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/e48b99a8024444dbf17869c63d83ab4c.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Brian O'Neal's birthday today!
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Brian O’Neal first discovered his love for music at the tender age of six, when he began taking drum lessons. Although Brian (known to his friends as “Bean”) learned to play many instruments including saxophone, bass, and trombone, he aspired to be a professional drummer until his sophomore year in high school, when his grandmother “Daisy” purchased his first piano at age sixteen... Read more.
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Brian O'Neal
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Brian O'Neal](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/e48b99a8024444dbf17869c63d83ab4c.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Brian O'Neal's birthday today!
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Brian O’Neal first discovered his love for music at the tender age of six, when he began taking drum lessons. Although Brian (known to his friends as “Bean”) learned to play many instruments including saxophone, bass, and trombone, he aspired to be a professional drummer until his sophomore year in high school, when his grandmother “Daisy” purchased his first piano at age sixteen... Read more.
Place our ...
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Homelessness: Detroit Jazz Musician Brian O'Neal Tries It
![Homelessness: Detroit Jazz Musician Brian O'Neal Tries It](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/e48b99a8024444dbf17869c63d83ab4c.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
By AMY LANGE for myFOXDetroit.com DETROIT, MI - With so many people without a place to call home in Haiti, we're reminded how many are homeless here at home. Many people can't imagine being in that position while others wish they weren't. However, hardly anyone would voluntarily become homeless. Yet, that's exactly what a local musician has been doing for the past couple of days and nights. Alone, cold and walking Detroit's streets at night, Brian O'Neal searches for a ...
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Brian O’Neal can be characterized simply as a musical architect. Conveying melodies that captivate the heart, soul and now with the recent release of his sophomore CD titled modestly “Daisy” he enthralls your rhythm and feet as well, with foot tapping, hand-clapping, jazzmatic grooves along side with alluring, sooth sounds that keep your mind afloat to breathtaking possibilities.
"Daisy" pays tribute to O’Neal’s late grandmother Daisy O’Neal who both influenced and nurtured his musical endeavors. It expresses a multi-faceted array of compilations, polished flavor and much more. On it, he exploits his versatility with the explosive composition called "Daisy" the title track from this newly release sophomore CD, later bringing you down a notch with the melodic sound of the tune “No Words Necessary” which symphonically takes you on a magical journey of self expression without words. The song titled "Mesmerized" is one of his personal favorite musical productions, which sustains an array of positive energies from all who embark upon it. It is purely what its title proclaims “mesmerizing.”
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Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson