FILM: Thread City Trio on new album and the art of jazz

The Thread City Jazz Trio, Eastern’s faculty jazz band named affectionately for its native Willimantic, released its second album, “Keeney Never Stops,” last July. The album reimagines several jazz standards, as well as popular songs from the 1960s to today.

The trio — composed of music Professor and Department Chair Anthony Cornicello (piano), Lecturer Rick O’Neal (bass), and former Lecturer Matt Bronson (drums) — released its self-titled first album in January 2023. “Keeney” marks a step in a new creative direction for the band, as the previous album featured only jazz standards.

In this short video, watch as Cornicello and O’Neal discuss the inspiration and creative decisions that went into recording the album, as well as their live performance in fall 2025 at the Fine Arts Instructional Center Concert Hall and the differences between recording music and performing live.