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A veteran jazz pianist from New York City,
Bill O'Connell is a gifted soloist and bandleader known for his long-running Latin jazz big band. As a player,
O'Connell's lyrical approach owes something to
Keith Jarrett,
Bill Evans, and
Herbie Hancock. However, many of his albums have underscored his talents as an arranger, bandleader, and composer, drawing inspiration from Latin greats like
Mongo Santamaria,
Tito Puente, and
Eddie Palmieri. A regular on the New York scene since the 1970s, he has led small trio dates like 2008's
Triple Play with flutist
Dave Valentin, as well as sessions with his
Latin Jazz All-Stars group, including 2013's
Zócalo and 2016's Heart Beat. Three years later, the pianist debuted his Afro Caribbean Ensemble on Wind off the Hudson. In 2022, responding to the political, social and environmental turmoil the country was experiencing,
O'Connell released the topical album A Change Is Gonna Come.
Born in New York City on August 22, 1953,
O'Connell grew up in suburban Port Washington, Long Island. After high school, he studied classical piano at Oberlin College in Ohio. He returned to New York in the early 1970s and initially made his name as a sideman, working with such luminaries as tenor saxophonist
Sonny Rollins and trumpeter
Chet Baker.
O'Connell also gained acceptance in the vibrant Latin jazz and salsa scene playing with famed Cuban percussion master
Mongo Santamaria (with whom he recorded 1977's
Amanecer), as well as trumpeter
Jerry Gonzalez's
Fort Apache Band. Over the years, he also crossed paths with flutist
Dave Valentin, Argentinean tenor saxophonist
Gato Barbieri, and others.
As a leader,
O'Connell debuted in 1978 with an LP titled Searching on the small Inner City label. He then joined longtime associate flutist
Valentin's band, touring and recording for several years before returning to his solo work with 1993's Lost Voices on
Creed Taylor's CTI Records (with
Taylor himself serving as producer). Several of
O'Connell's big band albums also appeared in the mid-'90s with Jazz Alive and Unfinished Business. He also continued working with
Valentin, and played on albums by
Charles Fambrough,
Jon Lucien, and others.
In the 2000s,
O'Connell signed with the independent Random Chance Records (a small, New York-based label with a fondness for jazz and blues).
Black Sand, his first album for Random Chance, came out in 2001; that record was followed by
Latin Jazz Fantasy in 2004. Four years later, he returned with the trio album
Triple Play, featuring
Valentin and percussionist
Richie Flores.
Rhapsody in Blue followed in 2010. A year later, he delivered the follow-up to
Triple Play,
Triple Play Plus Three, which showcased a rotating lineup of guests including
Valentin, clarinetist
Paquito D'Rivera, vibraphonist
Dave Samuels, and others.
O'Connell then joined his
Latin Jazz All-Stars for a series of albums including 2013's
Zocalo, 2014's
Imagine, and 2016's Heart Beat. He delivered the intimate solo concert album
Monk's Cha Cha: Solo Piano Live in 2017. The following year, he issued
Jazz Latin, which featured guest spots by trumpeter
Randy Brecker, saxophonist
Craig Handy, trombonist
Conrad Herwig, and others. In 2019, he debuted his Afro Caribbean Ensemble with Wind off the Hudson.
In January 2022,
O'Connell responded to international turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, political and social strife with A Change Is Gonna Come. Titled after
Sam Cooke's best-known single,
O'Connell's quintet on the date included bassist
Lincoln Goines, drummer
Steve Jordan, percussionist
Pedrito Martinez, and guest
Craig Handy on tenor and soprano saxophone. ~ Alex Henderson