"The greatest gifts that I've ever received from God are my family, and my ability to communicate through music." Cres O'Neal
Crescentia O'Neal was born in Washington, DC on December 24, 1955. She was introduced to music, at an early age, through her mother, classical vocalist Patricia O'Neal. She would watch, listen, and try to imitate as her mom and accompanist Roberta Flack blended harmonious melodies. Cres has been performing from the age of six when she had the lead in her school musical. Throughout High School you could hear her perform in such musicals as Damn Yankees, Pajama Game, Guys and Dolls, and Flower Drum Song.
After college, Cres left music to buckle down in the real world. She married, and moved to Buffalo, New York. There she became Western Regional Director for the New York Civil Liberties Union. 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. She returned to Washington with her husband and two daughters, and over the years she has performed with such artists as David Berger, David Friedman, C.C. Winans, and the Chieftains. She has also been seen in various stage productions, performing with the Washington Performing Arts Society's Men and Women of the Gospel, and throughout New York and Washington, DC. Her professional theatrical credits include: Your Arms Are to Short to Box With God, Working, and Beehive, to name a few. One of the greatest assets to Cres' vocals is her versitility -- she easily moves from one genre to another, from classical to rock. Her Mustand Sally is amazing. Her sound has been compared to Ella, Barbara Streisand, Rosemary Clooney, and Sarah Vaughn.
"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
Cres is owner/operator of WCJS Radio, and Host/Producer of Jazzin Em Up With Cres O'Neal, one of the top jazz radio talk shows on the internet. She is also a childrens book author.
