For those not in the know, Connor O’Neill, a leading guitarist, composer, and producer from Philadelphia, is delighted to announce the release of his new album, The Same Changes, Vol II. The upcoming album follows The Same Changes, Vol I, a compelling album with vivid compositions and arrangements.

Connor O’Neill is a Philadelphia-based guitarist, composer, and producer who is influencing the city’s thriving creative music scene. As a skilled sound engineer and music educator, his contributions extend beyond performance into shaping the musical landscape of Philadelphia.

As a celebrated graduate of the University of the Arts, O’Neill, who holds a master’s degree in jazz studies, is known for his unique blend of musical creativity. He also has an undergraduate degree from the same institution and is a recipient of the School of Music Jazz Award and the Catherine T. Quaile Memorial Guitar Award in 2017.

Building upon the success of the previous volume, The Same Changes, Vol II, set to be released on August 26th, 2023, reflects O’Neill’s life experiences and thoughts through periods of doubt, insecurity, and depression.

Despite these challenging themes, O’Neill states, I believe that negative experiences can be a forging fire to make us better people and better artists. He hopes that his music will provide listeners with a renewed sense of purpose and direction, becoming a solace during times of uncertainty.

As a self-released album, The Same Changes, Vol II is a testament to O’Neill’s dedication and commitment to his craft. The album single Early Departure will be pre-released on July 15th, 2023, offering a sneak peek into the soulful journey that awaits listeners in the full album.

1. Disordinance (6:16)
2. Another Moment Reconciled (6:21)
3. Gears (6:24)
4. Early Departure (6:02)
5. Singularity (6:24)
6. Jade (9:50)

The album opens on the aching yearn within Disordinance and the drum-led, yet mellowed and veritably shimmering Another Moment Reconciled, before then bringing us the alto-sax veined Gears (courtesy of Mervin Toussaint), the soulful, folk-hued Early Departure (complete with vocals from Jessica Cantone), the recording rounding out on the cascading Singularity (featuring Micah Graves on piano), coming to a mighty close on the near ten minute, ornately sculpted Jade.

Like the Same Changes, Vol I, this album is a collection of stories — my thoughts, experiences, and reflections manifested as moments in time O’Neill explains. However, Vol II gives the listener a chance to connect specifically with experiences in my life that have tested me; moments of depression, doubt, and insecurity.

I believe that “negative” experiences can be a forging fire to make us better people and better artists. The stories told in these songs helped give me purpose and direction, and my main goal is that they help provide the listener with a new sense of purpose and confidence, and that they can come back to them in times of doubt.

In addition to his work as a performer and producer, O’Neill has been teaching guitar, music theory, jazz history, improvisation, and musicianship privately since 2014, further enriching the Philadelphia music scene.

His pedagogical influence extends to Mobile Music Philly and the New Jersey School of Music in Medford since 2021, with students ranging in age from 6 to 75.

Whether you are a seasoned jazz enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, The Same Changes, Vol II promises to be an enchanting and uplifting experience, reflecting O’Neill’s musical prowess and emotional depth.

Musicians, Instruments:
Connor O’Neill on guitar
Alex Delcourt on bass
Steven Perry on the drum set
Morgan Walbridge on vibraphone (track 1, 2, 3, 6)
Mervin Toussaint on alto saxophone (track 3)
Jessica Cantone on voice (track 4)
Micah Graves on piano (track 5)

Official Website

Connor O’Neill @ Facebook

Connor O’Neill @ Instagram

Connor O’Neill @ Bandcamp