Hank O’Neal

An important maker, Hank O’Neal helped keep mainstream jazz alive about records in the first ’70s when it had been at risk of being overlooked. O’Neal created Chiaroscuro in 1970, and until its sale to Audiophile in 1978, he regularly documented swing-based veterans like Earl Hines, Mary Lou Williams, Ruby Braff, Soprano Summit, Bobby Hackett and Joe Venuti in maximum type. During its last 2 yrs, Chiaroscuro also released more complex times by Abdullah Ibrahim, Hamiet Bluiett, among others. After Chiaroscuro was offered, O’Neal maintained a minimal profile, however in the past due ’80s, he reacquired the catalog, and likewise to reissues, he offers continued to record mainstream jazz up for this time.