Born in Washington, D.C. in 1935, Lloyd McNeill is a jazz flutist, composer, visual artist, poet, photographer, activist, and educator. He is regarded as one of the most innovative flute players alongside Eric Dolphy, Yusef Lateef, Sam Rivers, Bobbi Humphrey, and James Moody. Lloyd McNeill is also an accomplished artist and is especially well-known for his drawings and paintings. In the mid-1960s, he studied Lithography at L’École Nationale des Beaux Arts in Paris, France. While in residence, he befriended Pablo Picasso and his wife Jacqueline. Returning to the US, he took a part-time teaching job and Howard University while also moonlighting with various jazz bands in local clubs. Lloyd McNeill’s first trio of albums - Asha (1969), Tanner Suite (1969), and Washington Suite (1970) are now held in high esteem by jazz connoisseurs. Lloyd McNeill has worked with many artists including Nina Simone, Naná Vasconcelos, Ron Carter, and others. Further albums in his solo catalog include Treasures (1976) and Elegia (1980). Throughout his career, he taught at several institutes of higher education including Rutgers University and Mason Gross School of the Arts.
