Cres O'Neal

Cres O'Neal:  Live At The Metropolitan RoomWith:Grammy nominated percussionist, Wilson "Chembo" CornielAward winning pianist, Darwin NogueraAcclaimed bassist, Paul BeaudryAcclaimed drummer, Willie MartinezCres is definitely a woman of many hats. She started her political career as a LBJ Fellow on Capitol Hill. A few of Cres' accomplishments are her service as Executive Director of two non-profits; and, a co-founder of the Buffalo Coalition Against the Death Penalty, and The Benedict House - one of the first HIV/AIDS transitional homes in the country. She was, for several years, Western Regional Director for the New York Civil Liberties Union. She has served on numerous national and international boards, including the United Nations Association for the National Capitol area.  Cres is currently the owner of WCJS Radio, and host/producer of the talk show, Jazzin Em Up With Cres O'Neal. She is also the creator of two charities: My Baby Needs Clothes, which was started in 2004, and The Andrew and Mary P. O'Neal Cares Project, which started in 2013.  Part of the proceeds will go to support these two programs.It was while in Buffalo the music bug resurfaced. She became actively involved with several big bands, and played with such artists as Boyd Lee Dunlop, Al Tinney, Art Anderson, and Zaid Alee. She was frequently seen performing at the Colored Musicians Club -- a club that hosted the likes of Count Bassie, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Duke Ellington. Over the years she has performed with such artists as David Berger, David Friedman, C.C. Winans, and the Chieftains.  Cres is currently the owner of WCJS Radio, and host/producer of the talk show, Jazzin Em Up With Cres O'Neal.Theater credits include: Studs Terkle's Working as Lucille Page, Sharon Atkins, and Maggie Holmes; Beehive as Aretha Franklin; The Pajama Game as Gladys Hotchkiss; Guys and Dolls as Adelaid; West Side Story as Anita; Sweet Charity as Helene; Hexegon; David Berger's production of Donald Byrd's The Harlem Nutcracker; George Faison's production of King; and Your Arms too Short to Box With God to name a few.Other credits include: Washington Performing Arts Society, Men and Women of the Gospel, and the 1992 Presidential Inaugural Ball.Reviews:"She has an unassuming demeanor; yet, her unique vocals are soothing and explosive. Her powerful, captivating voice exudes emotion that draws you into her space." Leonard Hughes, Washington Post"Just when you thought the days of the great jazz standards were gone, along comes Cres O'Neal. One of the greatest assets to Cres' vocals is her versatility -- she easily moves from one genre to another, from classical to rock. Her Mustang Sally is amazing. Her Over the Rainbow is simply hypnotizing. Cres has a sound that most assuredly can be compared to that of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn." Steve Getz, Son of Stan Getz