Cassandra O'Neal
By Rych McCain International/nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist
Cassandra O’Neal,
Prince's Keyboard Stylist!
Photo
Courtesy RMG
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| Cassandra O'Neal |
When it comes to having an eye for talent
to fill out his band; platinum selling superstar Prince has always found the best
qualified musicians to fit the bill. His current line up for his back up band
“The New Power Generation” includes versatile keyboardist Cassandra O'Neal. The
Copiague, New York native is also a composer, teacher and producer. O’Neal is a
“PK” i.e., preacher’s kid and demonstrated her musical talent very early when
she began playing piano at age 3. As she became old enough, she took classical
piano lessons and started playing in the church. As with most gifted musicians,
O’Neal began to explore many styles of music from new wave, rock, pop and
r&b. While she was in high school, she honed her chops accompanying school
choruses and ensembles. O’Neal soon relocated to Los Angeles and began touring
with gospel great Daryl Coley which was her first break into showbiz.
Because
she was able to blend the feel of several styles of music i.e., jazz, pop and
funk, it wasn’t long before O'Neal was in the studio and on the road backing up
some of music’s biggest acts, including Pink and her Party Tour in 2002,
98 Degrees, Kurt Carr & the Kurt Carr Singers, Helen Baylor, Avant, Chanté
Moore, and the 2005 Sisters In The Spirit Tour featuring acts such as
Yolanda Adams, Sheila E. and Martha Munizzi. She was also named Musical
Director for Macy Gray (2004–2007) and Mary J. Blige joining Jay-Z on the Heart
of the City Tour in 2008.
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| Prince |
A couple of years later in 2009, O’Neal
was again playing with a Sheila E formed band and Prince called again because
he needed back up. His people flew her out to Minneapolis. O’Neal describes her
arrival; “He gave me a big hug and he said ‘so, how long do I have you’? I said
how long do you need me? He said, ‘you got a coat?’ What he meant by that was that it’s kind of
cold in Minneapolis. I said sure, I’m from New York and the rest is history and
I’ve been in the band for three years now.”
For musicians who are wondering how
to break in and hook up with the major acts O’Neal advices them to set up camp
in Los Angeles. She says, “When it comes to touring, this is where most singers
come to find their bands.” She also is a member and staff musician at the mega
church, West Angeles C.O.G.I.C. where many of the actors, singers, musicians,
comedians etc. attend. O’Neal champions, “Go where the scene is. Where ever
you’re from it’s all well and good but if you really want to play seriously,
you want to go where the music is and this (LA) is where the music is.”
©
2012 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm
(You
DID Hear It From Me!)
Twitter@rychmccain
