He was one of the most famous jazz figures in America and Europe, although he never became the “first name”. Popular neo-op jazz pianist and singer. Johnny O’Neill he was introduced to jazz by his family and the Detroit environment where the genre was played at home, giving birth to musical legends from John Lee Hooker to Stevie Wonder.

He was inspired by Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson and began playing piano with local jazzmen. In 1981 he settled in New York and soon after joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. However, health problems prevented him from experiencing great fame.

Today, the ever-smiling O’Neill and his trio present old and contemporary tracks from his albums, as well as collaborations with major artists. Tonight at 21:30., appears for the last time on his stage Half Note Jazz Club live, full of surprises for the Athenian public.

Thank you, I must say I feel great. Your country and your city have such a history. I’m sure people will appreciate the music. I can’t go into details about settings because I never know these things beforehand. They just happen in my head and, to put it simply, I love playing in clubs.

“In my early years, I didn’t really like jazz. We mostly listened to gospel through the church, even though my father was a jazz pianist. At the age of 13, I first heard my father play the piano at a party, and I was very fascinated by it. I thought I wanted to do the same, I wanted to be able to play like that. A month later, my father brought me my first piano. Since then, I knew that music would be my destiny.

“When you grow up in a community where gospel, soul and jazz are as strong as they are in Detroit, you are bound to be heavily influenced. I listened to a lot of gospel in my early high school years, but jazz was a constant presence in my life because I listened to gospel records and also because of my father.

“I used to play gospel in church on the piano with a completely different orchestration than today. It was like learning to play the piano, with a huge choir clapping their hands, the feeling was magical.

I was a brave young man and wanted to show everyone that I could do it. Indeed, I succeeded. My first jazz concerts took place later, in St. Louis. I started making money and people in my hometown admired me for it.

“The difference in lifestyle and work was huge. I used to live in New York from time to time, but being there permanently meant a lot of opportunities, as well as a faster pace of work. I’m not the type to go fast, but we all take on jobs, especially if it gives you the chance to shine alongside some of our most famous artists. This is exactly what New York does to you.

– In fact, I never moved away from music or its “industry”. It’s true that I didn’t record music for several years in a row. I’m known as a musician who doesn’t have many records.

“These are just a few of the names I’ve been lucky enough to play music with, but they all came without too much effort. Where I had to be a bit insistent was that I went to Ray in Chicago and pretty much got him to listen to me play. He was already a giant of music and it really paid off because he immediately asked me to record with him, so I ended up in his band. He later introduced me to Milt Jackson and led me to someone like Clark Terry! While I was playing with Terry, Art Blackie asked me to join the Jazz Messengers on a big tour.

And so everything went easily. Incredible people gave me a wonderful experience. However, Art Blackie and I have always had very enjoyable tours and so many funny stories. Working with Anita O’Day was also a unique experience. There were so many artists that I can’t fit them into one or two interviews.

Music is evolving and more and more new generations around the world are taking an interest in jazz.

No, I am not a supporter of this idea. Music is evolving and more and more new generations are showing interest in this genre around the world. I learn from young people, especially those who respect traditions and develop them. That’s why I feel like the music is “moving forward”.

– I have had a “full” and pleasant life, and I have no serious fears, except, of course, that I will not be able to play my music. As long as I can play, I’m fine. I just hope that future generations will live in a world that is better than ours today.

I don’t usually do long term planning, but there are some plans that include performing music and recording for the public. Let’s see…