Bill O’Connell is a native New Yorker who studied classical composition at The Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Early in his career, he played and composed in various salsa and jazz settings that set the tone for his musical style. Over the years, Bill has displayed his versatility performing, writing and arranging for numerous legendary jazz artists including Mongo Santamaria, Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, Gato Barbieri, and vocalists Jon Lucien, Kenny Rankin, and Astrud Gilberto. Bill has served as music director and pianist for flutist Dave Valentin for over 30 years. He has also written for television including a documentary about Latin Jazz legend, Tito Puente. Bill has released 8 albums as a leader, and is currently performing with Dave Valentin, Conrad Herwig’s Latin Side, his own trio “Triple Play’”, his own Quintet, and teaching at Rutgers University.
Bill O’Connell is a native New Yorker who studied classical composition at The Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Early in his career, he played and composed in various salsa and jazz settings that set the tone for his musical style. Over the years, Bill has displayed his versatility performing, writing and arranging for numerous legendary jazz artists including Mongo Santamaria, Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, Gato Barbieri, and vocalists Jon Lucien, Kenny Rankin, and Astrud Gilberto. Bill has served as music director and pianist for flutist Dave Valentin for over 30 years. He has also written for television including a documentary about Latin Jazz legend, Tito Puente. Bill has released 8 albums as a leader, and is currently performing with Dave Valentin, Conrad Herwig’s Latin Side, his own trio “Triple Play’”, his own Quintet, and teaching at Rutgers University.