Kelley O'Neal
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Kelley O'Neal is an American saxophonist and studio musician, and former member of two Grammy Award winning musical groups. A native of Huntsville, Alabama, he now resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
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[edit] Educational achievements
According to the journal of the Alabama Bandmasters Association, Kelley earned a remarkable total of 50 solo and ensemble performance awards during his high school years, including the highly coveted John Phillip Sousa Award. He attended the University of Alabama on music scholarship, where he participated in the noted jazz program under Steve Sample, Sr and Ray Reach.
[edit] Touring and recording experience
Kelley has toured with notable performers such as the Four Tops, the Temptations and Be Be and Ce Ce Winans. In addition, he is a member of the nationally known horn section, the Tuscaloosa Horns. Kelley worked with the multiple Grammy award winning jazz vocal group, Take 6, touring Japan with them. He has also been a member of the band led by Grammy award-winning Rhythm and Blues artist Brian McKnight, appearing on McKnight's multi-platinum debut album.
[edit] The W.C. Handy Music Festival
Kelley is a regular featured performer at the W. C. Handy Music Festival, appearing there each year, both as a part of the band led by guitarist Eric Essix, and fronting his own group, the Kelley O'Neal Band. He is a member of the W. C. Handy Jazz All-Stars, and is renowned among his peers as one of the finest contemporary jazz saxophonists in the United States.
[edit] External links
- Kelley O'Neal bio at the Tuscaloosa Horns website
- Kelley O'Neal at CDbaby.com
- Brian McKnight album credits, citing band member Kelley O'Neal
