JAZZ: Johnny O'Neal/Mulgrew Miller (12/8)

City Newspaper Archives - 12/2007

Published by Ron Netsky on Dec 05, 2007

It's billed as a knock-down, drag-out, heavyweight competition, but the battle between two great pianists, Johnny O'Neal and Mulgrew Miller, is bound to be a respectful duel. Both are strong enough to have done stints in one of the greatest bands of all time, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. O'Neal is also a veteran of the bands of Ray Brown and Milt Jackson, while Miller has played with Tony Williams and Woody Shaw. It's tough to compete with O'Neal's virtuosity; it won him the role of Art Tatum in "Ray." But Miller's 15 albums as a leader leave no doubt about his prowess. So neither of these keyboard masters is likely to lose, but the audience is guaranteed to win.

Johnny O'Neal/Mulgrew Miller

VENU Resto-Lounge, 151 St. Paul St.

Saturday, December 8

7 & 9:15 p.m. | $17-$20 | ExodusToJazz.com