Bill O'Connell studied classical music at The Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Early in his career he played in various salsa  and jazz settings, making him a pioneer of Latin Jazz.. O'Connell is an internationally recognized composer, and has original  compositions on CDs by Mongo Santamaria, Emily Remler, Charles Fambrough, and on virtually every recording made by  flutist Dave Valentin. 

 

For years the go-to pianist and arranger for such  artists as Mongo Santamaria, Dave Valentin, Gato  Barbieri, the Fort Apache Band and others, Bill  O'Connell has perhaps more than any other pianist  developed a true melding of Latin and Jazz music. His  own playing – from its robust chordal comping to its  exuberant and sometimes knotty solos – transcends  categorization and combines rhythmic complexities  with glittering single note runs in a sort of Bud  Powell-meets-Chick-Corea sound. With Latin-tinged  trombone great Conrad Herwig, O'Connell provides a  thoughtful program of originals and a few re-imagined  standards including an amazing rendition of Victor  Feldman's “Joshua” and a surprising “Surrey with the  Fringe on Top.” Saxophonist Steve Slagle, percussion  legend Richie Flores and his regular rhythm section  make Bill O'Connell's Zócalo (Savant) a joyous romp  filled with energy and high spirits from a powerful  voice in Latin Jazz.