Harold O'Neal

Harold O'Neal
Background information
Birth name Harold Mujahid O'Neal
Born March 27, 1981
Origin Tanzania
USA
Genres Jazz
Classical
Hip Hop
R&B
Pop
Occupation(s) Composer
Producer
Dancer
Actor
Public Speaker
Instruments Piano
Years active 2003–present
Labels BluRoc/Universal Music Group PME Smalls Records
Associated acts Jerry Duplessis, Damon Dash, Ski Beatz, Bobby Watson, Greg Osby, Andrew Hill, Ahmad Alaadeen

Harold O'Neal (born March 27, 1981) is a Tanzanian - American pianist, composer, record producer, actor, and dancer. He has worked with Bono, Busta Rhymes, Ne-yo, Ski Beatz, Damien Rice, Lupe Fiasco, Damon Dash, and Jerry Wonda.

Career

The last protégé of Andrew Hill, O'Neal, who grew up surrounded by the Kansas City tradition, began working with musical jazz luminaries from a young age — touring the world with Bobby Watson when he was 19 after studying at the Berklee College Of Music and leaving the Manhattan School of Music to replace pianist Jason Moran in the influential band, The Greg Osby 4.

As a composer, Harold is known for blending the genres of 20th-century impressionist music with modern jazz. His solo album, "Marvelous Fantasy", is influenced by the works of Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy. His work has been featured in the New York Times, NPR, and PRI, and recently, has provided musical works for the film Loisaidas, which was executive produced by Damon Dash and Kanye West.

Production

In addition to performing, O'Neal is equally active as a producer in the worlds of Pop, Hip-Hop, and R&B. In 2010, Harold began working with hip hop legend Damon Dash. This led to a long term collaboration with the iconic hip hop producer Ski Beatz, touring extensively with hip-hop artists, and producing tracks for Mac Miller, Cam'Ron, Murs, and Sir Michael Rocks. In 2012, Harold began a collaboration with super-producer Jerry Duplessis, a.k.a. Jerry Wonda (The Fugees, Wyclef Jean, Shakira, Justin Bieber, Madonna, Whitney Houston).

Discography

   -Thanking You (Atlantic)
   - Ready Aim (RCA) Grammy Nomination
   - One (RCA) Grammy Nomination
   -Good Girls
   -Turn Me On
   - Fade Away (Because Music)
   -That's What We Do
   -Better Be Good (Sony Music Entertainment)
   -Make It Shake
   -BluTops (BluRoc/Universal)
   -Majesty (BluRoc/Universal)
   -Cotton Candy (BluRoc/Universal)
   -This World (BluRoc/Universal)
   -You Already Know (BluRoc/Universal)
   -Epic Salutations (BluRoc/Universal)
   -Hip Hop & Love (BluRoc/Universal)
   -Westside Love (BluRoc/Universal)
   -Reach Hire (BluRoc/Universal)
   -Living It Up (BluRoc/Universal)
   -As Time Goes By  (BluRoc/Universal)
   -Thank God (BluRoc/Universal)
   -New York City (BluRoc/Universal)
   -Silly Negro (BluRoc/Universal)
   -The Bottom (BluRoc/Universal)
   -Going Numb  (BluRoc/Universal)

As A Leader

   - "Man On The Street", 2013 (BluRoc/Universal)
   - "Marvelous Fantasy", 2011 (Smalls Records)
   - "Whirling Mantis", 2010 (Smalls Records)
   - "Charlies Suite", 2007 (PME)

As A Sideman

   -From The Heart (Palmetto Records)
   -St Louis Shoes (Blue Note Records)
Film/TV
Year Title Role Notes
2009 MTV - The Elements NYC: Bboy Himself Documentary
2009 Jay Z feat Mr. Hudson Young Forever Dancer Music video
2010 Boardwalk Empire Stride Pianist Episode: "Home"
2010 iPad Music Video - Eye of the Tiger remix Dancer Music video
2011 The Daily Habit Himself Episode: 168
2012 Electric Burma Himself Documentary
2014 Keep On Keepin' On Himself Documentary
Theatre
Year Title Role Notes
2013 Lady Day Sonny Off-Broadway Understudy

Facts

References

External links