Willie McNeil is one of LA’s most diversified musicians. Having played professionally for over 40 years, Willie has racked up impressive credits and loyal fans. His best known projects include his band The Solsonics and their critically acclaimed album Jazz in the Present Tense; his long time partnership with Joey Altruda and their group Jump With Joey; and his tenure as the musical director at the famous Los Angeles club Forty Deuce. But regardless of which stellar group he’s leading, his inimitable style is always remembered.
Willie has had two major record deals, a major publishing deal and has worked in Hollywood since 1981. He finds himself busy doing session work, performing in night clubs, private dates and international tours. He writes, sings, produces, arranges, DJ's and even does some acting!
Willie has performed with acts as diverse as the rapper Guru, John Mayall (at age 21), Joe Strummer and Ernest Ranglin, to name just a few. Willie has had a love affair with Latin music for quite some time and is well known for his Afro-Cuban salsa group Sono-Lux. However, he’s probably best known for his facial expressions and antics while drumming for his burlesque group Big Willie’s Burlesque.
Willie is also a known fixture at the Fuji Rock Festival in Naeba Japan and has performed 15 times with many different line ups since 2005. His last time was in 2023 with his group Big Willie’s Burlesque where they rocked the Crystal Palace!
