Harold O'Neal

Harold O'Neal is an American pianist, composer, producer, and interdisciplinary storyteller known for his contributions to jazz, music composition, and narrative design. O'Neal is recognized for his association with the lineage of modern jazz pianists and his work across music, narrative design, and strategic advisory roles. He is noted for developing a signature style of solo piano that fuses early 20th-century composition with modern music, demonstrating versatility across multiple disciplines.

O'Neal has been profiled in publications and programs including Forbes, NPR's All Things Considered, Fortune, Studio 360, and 92Y, with The New York Times comparing him to Duke Ellington, Kenny Kirkland, and Maurice Ravel.

O'Neal's formal training began with studies in composition at Berklee College of Music, followed by attendance at Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with Kenny Barron and apprenticed under Andrew Hill. Following Hill's advice, O'Neal left Manhattan School of Music to join the Greg Osby 4, replacing pianist Jason Moran and making his major-label debut recording for Blue Note Records at age 21. O'Neal has released several albums, including "Charlie's Suite," a compilation reflecting his family's legacy, and "Whirling Mantis" with a jazz quartet. His solo piano album "Marvelous Fantasy" received critical acclaim, with The New York Times describing it as sitting "somewhere between Ravel's 'Miroirs' and Duke Ellington's great 1953 album Piano Reflections."

O'Neal's work extends into film, television, and global events. He released the album "Man on the Street" featuring a jazz quartet and solo piano for BluRoc, an incarnation of Rocafella Records distributed by Def Jam Records. He composed for featurettes and documentaries related to the Disney film "Tomorrowland," produced by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Anthony Giacchino. On the recommendation of Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull, O'Neal contributed as a creative expert to the development of Pixar's "Soul," collaborating with filmmakers Pete Docter, Dana Murray, and Kemp Powers. He served as music director for the inaugural Albie Awards, hosted by John Oliver and featuring presenters such as Michelle Obama, Julia Roberts, and Meryl Streep. O'Neal also appeared as an actor in Jay Z's music video for "Young Forever" from the album "The Blueprint 3."

O'Neal's honors include performing as a guest star at a ceremony honoring Herbie Hancock with the Benjamin Franklin Medal, musically representing Hancock's acoustic legacy. He was inducted into the Royal Society of the Arts. O'Neal was also featured at 92Y as part of its 7 Days of Genius series. In addition to his musical career, he holds a black belt in martial arts and is an accomplished dancer.

As a keynote speaker and social entrepreneur, O'Neal brings the principles of jazz improvisation and creative mastery to organizations such as Google, The World Economic Forum, TEDx, TIME, C2 Montréal, and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. His collaborators include U2, Pixar, George Clooney, NASA, Jay Z, and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. O'Neal's work bridges the worlds of art, innovation, and human connection, making an impact across the music industry, creative leadership, and interdisciplinary storytelling.