Harold O'Neal

For those of a similar name, see Harold O'Neill (disambiguation).

Harold O'Neal
Background information
Also known as	Kid Jazz, Key Boy
Born	March 27, 1981 (1981-03-27)
Origin	Tanzania USA
Genres	Jazz Hip Hop R&B
Occupations	Musician Actor Composer Martial Artist Bboy Producer
Instruments	Piano
Associated acts	Bobby Watson, Greg Osby, Andrew Hill, Ahmad Alaadeen, Ski Beatz, Damon Dash

Harold O'Neal is an American Jazz Pianist, Actor, Producer, Martial Artist, Bboy, and Composer. He was born on March, 27th 1981 in Arusha, Tanzania and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He is the nephew of Pete O'Neal and son of Brian and Mafutari O'Neal. Harold has studied at the Paseo Academy of Performing Arts, Berklee College of Music, and the Manhattan School of Music where he studied with jazz master Kenny Baron.

New York City

Harold's career took off when he started touring with Jazz Saxophonist Bobby Watson in 2001. In 2002, Harold was introduced to Greg Osby by jazz legend Andrew Hill which led to his major label recording debut on Greg Osby's 2003 release "St. Louis Shoes" for Blue Note Records. Harold received high critical praise for his contributions to the recording and later that same year performed for a private event for Bill Cosby. In 2004, O'Neal debuted the Harold O'Neal Project which consisted of Greg Osby, Jeff "Tain" Watts, and Matt Brewer.

Kansas City and Colorado

In 2005, Harold decided to return to Kansas City to get a break from the fast pace of New York. With having many years of experience in Kenpo Karate, Mr. O'Neal decided to venture into full-contact Kick Boxing, all while touring and maintaining his reputation in the jazz scene. After having one loss in the fall followed by a victory in a main event fight in the spring of the next year, Harold "Make em' Kneel" O'Neal decided he had his thrill and then devoted his free time to training as a Bboy and being a Kenpo Karate instructor . Through his martial arts teacher Master Rick Gibbins, he came in contact with "People Making of Colorado" led by Steven Young and once again decided to change the scenery by relocating to Boulder, Co. to pursue the healing arts and study with shiatsu master and healer Larry Thompson. It was there that Harold was commissioned to write a musical suite telling the tale of his experiences with "People Making of Colorado". The result of this was the album "Charlie's Suite" which was released on the label PME in 2006. The suite tells a very personal and intimate story of O'Neal's ancestors. Ranging from slavery and tales of the plantation, to his father and uncle's deep involvement in the civil rights movement through the Black Panther Party (Pete O'Neal had formed and was the leader of the Kansas City chapter) and then onto the migration to Tanzania from which he was born and where his uncle Pete is still in exile. The album received very high acclaim by the critics reviews.

Return to New York City

After competing in the 2006 Theloniuos Monk Competition, Harold was approached by famed piano constructor Paolo Fazioli who was said to had really enjoyed his performance. In the fall of 2007, Harold was invited by Jim Luce to take part in 2008 in the celebration of Thelonious Monk's birthday in the form of a series of annual concerts leading up to the 100th birthday of Thelonious Monk featuring the world's piano masters. These concerts were to be performed at the Winter Garden Atrium located at the World Trade Center. This event along with being featured on a new album by Bobby Watson entitled "From the Heart"(which featured three of Harold's compositions and arrangements) led to Harold's return to New York in 2008. Upon his return Harold had been developing a name as a producer having collaborated with producer Alex B of Pnuma Trio. Harold then joined the Bboy crew "BKC"(Borough Khaos Connection) as "Kid Jazz" with whom he has been featured and interviewed with on MTV breakin with other NYC Bboys.

Current

In 2010 Harold released his album "Whirling Mantis", which received high critical praise and reviews from the likes of the New York Times, NPR, WNYC, and many jazz magazines. Recently Harold has formed a relationship with Damon Dash & Ski Beatz with whom he had met through his collaborations with gospel pioneer Vy Higginsen. Had has recently become a member of Ski Beatz' group "The Senseis" and is working on numerous projects with Ski, Damon, and DD172. Harold currently resides in Brooklyn, New York where he spends most of his time writing music, training, and bboying.

Discography and Selected Discography

• Harold O'Neal - "Whirling Mantis", 2010 (Smalls Records)
• Alex B - "Moments" 2010 (Elm & Oak)
• Alex B - "Alex B Mixtape Vol. 1", 2008
• Boosey & Hawkes and Blue Note Records present "An Evening of Jazz Masterworks" - Greg Osby Duo, 2008 (Blue Note and Boosey & Hawkes)
• Bobby Watson - "From the Heart", 2008 (Palmetto)
• Ahmad Aladeen - "And the Beauty of it All", 2007 (ASR)
• Harold O'Neal - "Charlies Suite", 2007 (PME)
• Ahmad Aladeen - "New Africa Suite", 2006 (ASR)
• Leron Thomas - "Dirty Draws", 2004 (Leron Thomas Music)
• Jafunk - "Jafunk", 2004
• Greg Osby - "St. Louis Shoes", 2003 (Blue Note)

Film/TV Credit

• "Boardwalk Empire" 2010
• Jay Z's "Young Forever" Music Video 2009
• MTV's "Sucker Free" 2008

Facts

Harold is able to solve a Rubik's Cube in 30 seconds and is a Magician! He is considered by many to be a Polymath.

External links

• Official Site
• Profile from NPR's All Things Considered [1]
• Soundcheck: In Studio: [2]
• NY Times: Critics Choice [3]
• Jazz Review Site
• MSN Discography Link