CURRENT TRIO
Jim O'Neill, vocals/piano/rhodes/acoustic guitar/electric guitar
Dave Madson, acoustic bass/electric bass
Mark O'Day, drums
JTO' has had the privilege of collaborating/performing with these extraordinary people:
ARTISTS
Patrick Pryor, painter
BASSISTS
John Iden, bass
John Wright, bass
Ben Foote, bass
Matt Senjem, bass
Griffin Woodworth, bass and cello
DRUMMERS
Dave Koel, drums
Phil Hey, drums
Greg Schutte, drums
Ryan Johnson, drums
Troy Groenke, drums
Adam Eggert, drums
Spencer McGinnis, drums
George Bergh, drums
Tom Madson, drums
Steven Dwyer
SINGER/SONGWRITER/GUITARISTS
Kevin Steinman, guitar and vocals
Brad Senne, guitar and vocals
TRUMPETERS
Aaron McCabe, trumpet
SINGERS
Bobbi Miller, vocals
Molly Sonsteng, vocals
Sara Richardson, vocals
Alex Alcorn, vocals
VIOLINISTS
Lisi Wright, fiddle
DANCERS
James Sewell Ballet Company
James Sewell, co-founder/artistic director/choreographer/dancer
Sally Rousse, co-founder/dancer
Caroline Fermin, dancer
Penelope Freeh, artistic associate/dancer
Chris Hannon, dancer
Justin Leaf, dancer
Nicolas Lincoln, dancer
Emily Tyra, dancer/singer
Influences
Jimmy Hamilton, Bobby Peterson, Harry Connick, Jr., Frank Sinatra, Sting, Ahmad Jamal, Erroll Garner, Oscar Peterson, Joshua Redman, Eric Reed, Esbjorn Svensson Trio, Brad Mehldau, Branford Marsalis, Ray Charles, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Mel Jacobson, Kevin Steinman, Abdullah Ibrahim, Burt Bacharach.
Sounds Like
An explosion of 100 black cats out of a garbage can.
Alternatively, a music listening chef might liken him to an entre of half Harry Connick, Jr., half Gordon Matthew "Sting" Sumner, seasoned with a little Ray Charles, coupled with an ice cold glass of George Harrison to wash it all down. Maybe for dessert, add a scoop of Harry Nilsson, smothered in a chocolatey syrup of Keith Jarrett. Don't forget to add a hot coffee mug of Burt Bachurach to enjoy for the post meal socializing.
JTO' is still learning, still growing, still evolving, still struggling with writing in the 3rd Person. A potter might say that he is still as maleable as a lump of unfired/unthrown Cone 10 stonewear clay; one that needs perhaps a hint of wedging.
JTO' is a singer/pianist/guitar-faker-ist/songwriter who lives in Minneapolis, MN. He's continually striving to learn, reach, stretch, and expand his abilities. He's taken on many different music projects over the past four years to broaden his experience. He is currently working with a multitude of exciting projects including (but not limited to); piano improvisations with ballerina Emily Tyra (of the James Sewell Ballet); leading his own pop/jazz trio; backing rising Indy Folk artist Kevin Steinman; co-producing "Intoxicating" a monthly theater revue at the Bryant Lake Bowl with friend and collaborator vocals diva Bobbi Miller; and experimenting with performance art/music collaborations with noted abstract painter Patrick Pryor, and lastly but most certainly not leastly, sitting in with the local rock band gurus "Beight". JTO' is beginning work on a new solo album that can/could/shall/should/may/might/must be released from captivity sometime in early 2008. The album will be crafted like a 'musical outbreak monkey' and strategically exposed to the corners of the world so that JTO's first album of originals will spread quickly, reaching as many listeners as possible. Stay tuned for more details.
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I just wanted to stop by to say hello and give you a little update on what Blood Root Mother is up to! We will be recording an EP of new music in August, and we recently finished recording a live DVD. The DVD is currently unreleased and I actually just saw it for the first time a few days ago. It features the last two performances with Tony Ellis still alive, and some footage from the tribute show we played on the night of his funeral.
There are some cool covers, as well as some NEW music that will be on our upcoming EP. We're very excited about the new music and we'd like to share a sneak peak with you. Here's a video of a new tune called Run Bobby Run:
Blood Root Mother will be playing at Trocaderos in Minneapolis on Friday, June 26th. I cannot stress enough how awesome this show will be!! We're playing with three of the sweetest local rock bands: Claret, Niobium and Casanatra. If you haven't heard these guys, check them out immediately! Please come to this show!!
I recommend stopping by during happy hour for two for one drinks along with free buffet, which is delicious. We'll be hanging out at Trocs all night, so come by and chill/party with us :)
Again, here's the event info:
Friday, June 26th Trocaderos 107 3rd Ave N Minneapolis, MN 18+ // $6 // 8pm
Please come out and support some great local music!! Music starts at 9:30pm, we should go on around midnight. Invite your friends, pile into a car (or a party bus), and together we will make this one of the highlights of the summer :)
Happy election day - Norway's rocking for Obama. We're grilling USA burgers and pommes frittes, and whippin up some malt shakes for the good old US of A tonight as we watch the results roll in through the sleeping hours. Let's win!
Looking forward to playing with you at 318 on the 13th!
I cannot thank you enough for your generosity on Saturday...you were GREAT, I got so many compliments on your music...Mason sends his love and thanks for helping out his brothers and sisters!! :-)
Hey Jim! Thanks a lot for your feedback - always appreciated :) Hope the US of A is treating you well and look forward to hearing some of your own tunes :) xx
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