Hank O'Neal

• Genres: Jazz

Biography

An important producer, Hank O'Neal helped keep mainstream jazz alive on records in the early '70s when it was in danger of being forgotten. O'Neal formed Chiaroscuro in 1970, and until its sale to Audiophile in 1978, he consistently recorded swing-based veterans like Earl Hines, Mary Lou Williams, Ruby Braff, Soprano Summit, Bobby Hackett and Joe Venuti in peak form. During its last two years, Chiaroscuro also released more advanced dates by Abdullah Ibrahim, Hamiet Bluiett, and others. After Chiaroscuro was sold, O'Neal maintained a low profile, but in the late '80s, he reacquired the catalog, and in addition to reissues, he has continued to document mainstream jazz up to the present time. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi

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