Pianist/singer Johnny O'Neal is clearly a disciple of Art Blakely with a strong touch of Art Tatum. Selected to play the role of Art Tatum in the highly acclaimed movie Ray (2004), O'Neal is a seasoned pianist who, in addition to performing with musicians such as Ray Brown and Sonny Stitt, has paid his dues with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and Milt Jackson's quartet. Although he's "self-taught," with roots in gospel music, he acknowledges indebtedness to not only Tatum but Oscar Peterson and Erroll Garner as well. Despite this heritage, his virtuosity provides him his own voice.