pianist Bill O’Connell Latin Jazz Quartet feat. saxophonist Craig Handy

A dazzling combination!

Bill O’Connell can lay claim to a track record of challenging and artistic-diverse triumphs that few of his peers can match. He has excelled as a leader, soloist, arranger, musical director, and accompanist for some of the most celebrated names in jazz and Latin music.

O’Connell says: “Most of my contemporaries didn’t go down this path, but through my experience with Mongo Santamaria and many other Latin jazz music greats, I saw the beauty in this music and it touched me on both an emotional and intellectual level.”

“The range of Bill’s artistic spectrum seems limitless. Everything merges in the most natural, vibrant and musically-truthful way... A taste of Latin style and a measure of hard bop with a touch of mainstream traverses the jazz spectrum to please just about everyone.” –All About Jazz

Featured saxophonist Craig Handy, has a big burly tenor sound, sharp wit, and above all, individuality. He has matured through his association with some of the leanest, meanest groups playing jazz; like, Abdullah Ibrahim, Herbie Hancock, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Betty Carter, Donald Harrison and Roy Haynes to name a few.

What's most dazzling about Handy’s playing is his individuality, and his ability to create a texture and soundscape that's very sophisticated but also funky. He uses his technical mastery to establish a haunting communication.