The Will O’Connor Band
Quality Music That Keeps You On Your Toes
The Will O’Connor Live Acoustic Show is dedicated to thoughtfully performing great music from the ’50s to the present. The band’s acoustic covers range from Van Morrison to the Barenaked Ladies, Pink Floyd to Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye to the Talking Heads. Our songlist has been described as “the best radio station you could find on a road trip, performed live.” At the same time, the songs become new, given a fresh musical interpretation.
The band aims to provide acoustic music that makes for great listening any night of the week, and that could be either an atmospheric backdrop to conversation or a reason to get out of your chair and start dancing.
The Band
Jeff Sassaman
Bassist Jeff Sassaman is a native of Philadelphia, PA. Jeff has a music degree from Berklee College of Music and studied with bass icon Whit Browne. An integral part of the Live Acoustic Show’s sound, Jeff also performs regularly across the country for Broadway, orchestral, and jazz engagements. He has had multiple performances at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and Alice Tully Hall, just to name a few.
Will O'Connor
Known for driving guitar rhythms and expressive vocals, Will has been gigging in pubs and restaurants in New York and New Jersey for two decades. Will has a broad taste in musical styles, and his guitar and vocals guide the group through their expansive playlist. His talents have brought him to Germany and Ireland, where he performs annually as part of the Ardmore Pattern Festival in Co. Waterford.
Nick Wight
Nick grew up near Scranton, PA. His dad, a full-time musician, loved to nurture his son’s passion, even having Nick, then a kid, sit in on drums with his trio. After earning a music degree from Temple University, Nick came to the NYC area and now teaches and performs in a variety of projects, ranging from jazz to early rock n’ roll, country/folk to pop and R&B. He also frequently travels abroad as sideman and co-leader of the jazz trio, Pericopes+1.
December 2023: Events
Saturday, December 9th, 2023
Keg Tree Lighting
@THE CLOVERLEAF TAVERN
2-5pm
395 Bloomfield Ave
Caldwell, NJ
973.226.9812
cloverleaftavern.com
Saturday, December 16th, 2023
TILLING HOUSE
7-10pm
2000 Lowther Dr
Eatontown, NJ
732.443.3008
tillinghouse.com
Seating may be limited. Reservations are recommended.
Saturday, December 23rd, 2023
BATTELLO
7-10pm
502 Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ
201.798.1798
battellojc.com
Seating is limited. Reservations are recommended.
Sunday, December 31st, 2023
Irish New Year’s Eve@
THE SHILLELAGH CLUB
5-8pm
648 Prospect Ave
West Orange, NJ
(973) 325-9338
shillelaghclub.com
It turns 2024 in Ireland at 7pm. Come celebrate with us!
January 2024: Events
Wednesday, January 24th, 2024
BATTELLO
6-9pm
502 Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ
201.798.1798
battellojc.com
Seating is limited. Reservations are recommended.
Past Events
IRELAND TOUR 2019
Mid-July to Early August
Co. Waterford & Co. Cork
willoconnor.com/ireland2019
Planning a party?
Got a wedding, cocktail hour, or other private event coming up on your schedule? Why not make live acoustic music a part of it?
The band has a wide range of songs to entertain all generations, and we’re just as comfortable providing background atmosphere as we are taking center stage.
Over the years the band has played hundreds of private events, ranging from house parties and backyard barbecues to raucous birthdays and weddings. We’ve also played corporate events, charity fundraisers, and even a classy U.N. cocktail social.
Let us know how our acoustic cover band can make your next event the one that everyone remembers.
vigor. craft. creativity.