Biography
Art Neville, born in New Orleans in 1937, was the eldest of the famed Neville brothers and a foundational figure in the city’s musical history. His early fascination with keyboards began at age three, and by high school he was leading The Hawketts, whose 1954 recording of 'Mardi Gras Mambo' became a perennial Carnival anthem. After a stint in the Navy, Neville returned to music, releasing solo R&B hits like 'Cha Dooky Do' and 'All These Things,' and soon formed Art Neville and the Neville Sounds, which evolved into The Meters by 1965.
The Meters, with Neville on keyboards and vocals, pioneered the distinctive New Orleans funk sound, emphasizing groove and rhythm over melody. As the house band for Allen Toussaint’s studio, they backed artists such as Dr. John, Paul McCartney, LaBelle, and Robert Palmer, while their own instrumental hits like 'Cissy Strut' and 'Hey Pocky A-Way' became funk standards. After The Meters disbanded, Neville joined his brothers Cyril, Aaron, and Charles to form The Neville Brothers in 1978, blending funk, soul, R&B, and Mardi Gras Indian music. The group toured globally, released numerous acclaimed albums, and won a Grammy for 'Healing Chant' in 1989.
Neville’s musical style was rooted in New Orleans R&B, drawing from Afro-Caribbean rhythms and the city’s rich tradition of funk, soul, and jazz. His legacy endures through his recordings, the continued influence of The Meters and The Neville Brothers on genres like hip-hop and jam bands, and his role as an ambassador for New Orleans music. He received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 and passed away in 2019 at age 81.
Fun Facts
- Art Neville’s first experience with a keyboard was at age three, when he accidentally startled himself by pressing a church organ’s low key.
- He sang lead on 'Mardi Gras Mambo' as a teenager, a song that remains a Carnival staple in New Orleans.
- The Meters, with Neville at the helm, were the first New Orleans band to perform on the TV show 'Austin City Limits'.
- Neville received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018, recognizing his six-decade impact on American music.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Professor Longhair - Major stylistic influence on Neville’s piano technique and New Orleans R&B sound (Inspired 'Mardi Gras Mambo' and Neville’s rhythmic approach) [1950s–1960s]
- James Booker - Influenced Neville’s keyboard style and improvisational flair (General influence on Neville’s solo and band work) [1950s–1970s]
- Allen Toussaint - Producer and mentor, provided studio opportunities and creative direction (The Meters’ recordings, studio sessions for Dr. John, Lee Dorsey) [1960s–1970s]
Key Collaborators
- Aaron Neville - Brother and bandmate in The Neville Brothers and earlier groups (The Hawketts, The Neville Brothers albums) [1950s–2010s]
- Cyril Neville - Brother and key member of The Neville Brothers and The Meters (The Neville Brothers, The Meters) [1960s–2010s]
- Charles Neville - Brother and saxophonist, contributed jazz and spiritual elements (The Neville Brothers) [1970s–2010s]
- George Porter Jr. - Bassist and founding member of The Meters (The Meters, Funky Meters) [1960s–2010s]
- Leo Nocentelli - Guitarist and founding member of The Meters (The Meters, Funky Meters) [1960s–2010s]
- Ziggy Modeliste - Drummer and founding member of The Meters (The Meters, Funky Meters) [1960s–2010s]
- Allen Toussaint - Producer and collaborator, led studio sessions (Dr. John’s 'Right Place, Wrong Time', Lee Dorsey’s 'Yes We Can Can') [1960s–1970s]
- Paul McCartney - The Meters backed McCartney on studio recordings ('Listen To What The Man Said') [1970s]
- Dr. John - The Meters served as backing band ('Right Place, Wrong Time') [1970s]
- LaBelle - The Meters backed LaBelle ('Lady Marmalade') [1970s]
Artists Influenced
- Phish - Inspired by The Meters’ improvisational funk style (Live covers and jam band repertoire) [1990s–present]
- Galactic - New Orleans funk band directly influenced by The Meters’ groove (Original albums and live performances) [1990s–present]
- Red Hot Chili Peppers - Cited The Meters as a major influence on their funk-rock sound (Funk-oriented tracks and covers) [1980s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Art Neville: His Specialty Recordings, 1956-58 | 1992-11-30 | Album |
| Dirty Word | 2013-07-30 | Album |
| Eileen (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | 2023-12-01 | Album |
| Wrong Number - The Neville Brothers Sing Hits Like Hook, Line, And Sinker, Get out of My Life, And More! | 2013-08-12 | Album |
| Romantic Moods | 2019-02-03 | Album |
| Artist • Producer • Songwriter (Deluxe Edition) | 2023-02-28 | Album |
| The Specialty Recordings 1956-1958 | 2019-05-20 | Album |
| Sounds Of A 1,000 Strings: Play For Lovers | 2019-02-03 | Album |
| Music For Big Dame Hunters | 2019-02-01 | Album |
| Gypsy Love Songs | 2019-01-31 | Album |
| Come All Ye Faithfull and Other Christmas Favorites | 2018-11-26 | Album |
| Mardi Gras Mambo | 2017-12-15 | Album |
| Anthology | 2014-04-02 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Six Strings Down (The Essential Jimmie Vaughan)
- Cha Dooky-Doo (Art Neville: His Specialty Recordings, 1956-58)
- Zing Zing (Art Neville: His Specialty Recordings, 1956-58)
- What's Going On (Art Neville: His Specialty Recordings, 1956-58)
- Arabian Love Call (Art Neville: His Specialty Recordings, 1956-58)
- All These Things - Remastered (Artist • Producer • Songwriter (Deluxe Edition))
- All These Things (Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky (The Hit Songs & Productions 1957-1978))
- Twilight of Romance (Romantic Moods)
- When My Baby Went Away (Art Neville: His Specialty Recordings, 1956-58)
- Go To The Mardi Gras - Live
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Art Neville has been played 32 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.