Kevin O’Neal is a talented bassist, composer and arranger. Kevin’s compatriots are augmented by the likes of Hank Crawford, Charles McPherson, Barry Harris, Billy Higgins and vocalists LaVerne Baker, Nnenna Freelon, Barbara Morrison, Solomon Burke, Hank Ballard and Maxine Weldon. As an original member/musical director of the “Busboys”, Kevin was part of a history-making band whose credits include featured appearances and music for two Eddie Murphy films, “48 Hrs” and “Delirious.” Kevin served as bassist and musical director for Tracy Chapman’s “Crossroad Tour,” where they toured and recorded live performances. Kevin has lent his talents as bassist to diverse artists ranging from Beck, Outkast, Tone Loc, Brian Setzer, Unwrapped Volume II, jazz guitarist Hide Tokunaga, Kevin Toney and the Dove nominated video feature “One Voice” with Crystal Lewis, Bryan Duncan and Anointed. Kevin received a Grammy nomination for his work on “Ghostbusters,” and has written and performed world premiers for Symphony Orchestra. Kevin is also a composer and arranger of Sacred Works, and is also the founder and director of Radiant Voices, a well-versed jazz and praise choir. Painting musical portraits and representing them visually is also one of Kevin’s assets. He is featured as performer/composer/arranger in the PBS special Swing Alive with Les Brown and His Band of Renown, and as acoustic bassist in the Denzel Washington film based on the Walter Mosley novel, “Devil with the Blue Dress.” 2001 began with the KAO Ensemble and Kevin performing and composing the full score for the KCRW 9 hour series of Walter Mosley’’s “Black Betty.” Kevin’s performances and compositions are also found in the motion picture “A Great and Mighty Walk”, the Wesley Snipes directed biography of John Henrick Clarke. Kevin O’Neal & Radiant Voices were featured as the musical directors for the world premier theatre production written by Ted Lange “The Heart of Biddie Mason,” and in the Warner Bros. Television sitcom “All About The Andersons” starring Anthony Anderson. 2004 found Kevin appearing as bassist for the chart topping, triple Grammy winning album of the year by Outkast.
.
