HAROLD O'NEAL
Pianist - Producer - Composer - Social Entrepreneur
Harold O'Neal's extraordinary artistry and influence have been celebrated across a range of esteemed platforms, including Forbes, NPR's All Things Considered, Fortune, The Hollywood Reporter, and the 92Y. Most notably, The New York Times has drawn comparisons between O'Neal and legendary figures such as Duke Ellington and Maurice Ravel. These accolades position him not merely as a contemporary talent but as a luminary among the most revered pianists and composers in history.
O'Neal's achievements extend beyond performance. He has been awarded a fellowship to the Royal Society of the Arts, joining the ranks of iconic figures like Charles Dickens, Benjamin Franklin, and Stephen Hawking. Additionally, he contributed his expertise as a creative consultant to the Academy Award-winning Pixar film Soul, further demonstrating his impact on music, storytelling, and culture.
"A piece of work that seems to be out there on its own. I have an idea where the music comes from, but I’m not hearing it anywhere else."
BEN RATLIFF, The New York Times
In the entertainment industry, O'Neal has also made a name for himself a sought-after music director and producer known for his work on high-profile events like Electric Burma with U2, CNN All Star Tribute with Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa, and The Albie Awards—the inaugural awards ceremony by The Clooney Foundation, hosted by John Oliver and featuring Aloe Blacc. The Albie Awards, named after anti-apartheid activist Justice Albie Sachs, honor courageous defenders of justice and were presented by notable figures including Michelle Obama, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Dua Lipa, and Oscar Isaac.
As a speaker and social entrepreneur, Harold O'Neal has presented to a diverse range of leaders in innovation, including at events and conferences hosted by TIME, Salesforce, The Future of Storytelling, Google, McKinsey & Company, United Nations Ambassadors, Salesforce, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and The World Economic Forum at Davos. Currently, O'Neal has several projects in production, including producing his next jazz album (2024), producing and scoring an untitled feature-length film with an Academy Award-winning director (2024), and founding a global social entrepreneurship initiative with Paul Propster, a Senior Strategist and Story Architect of NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, where O'Neal currently plays the role of strategic advisor.
"In addition to O’Neal’s spontaneity, he’s one of the most distinctive, creative, insightful musicians at work today.”
ROB WOLCOTT, Forbes