CHARMAINE NEVILLE BAND

Biography

Charmaine Neville, born March 31, 1956, in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a celebrated jazz and funk singer and the charismatic leader of the Charmaine Neville Band. As the daughter of Charles Neville of the legendary Neville Brothers, Charmaine was immersed in New Orleans’ rich musical heritage from an early age, growing up in a family where music was a way of life. Her early exposure to the vibrant sounds of the Crescent City shaped her distinctive style, blending jazz, funk, blues, R&B, and soul into a dynamic and soulful performance that has become her hallmark.

Neville began her career backing up the Neville Brothers and soon branched out, performing with The Survivors—a group that included notable musicians like Harry Connick Jr. and Bobby McFerrin—before forming her own band. The Charmaine Neville Band, co-led with keyboardist Amasa Miller, has become a fixture in the New Orleans music scene, known for their energetic shows at venues like Snug Harbor and regular appearances at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The band’s repertoire is a lively mix of original compositions and inventive covers, all delivered with the unmistakable flavor of New Orleans. Albums such as 'Before the Storm,' 'It's About Time,' and 'Queen of the Mardi Gras' showcase her powerful voice and the tight interplay of her seasoned band.

Charmaine Neville’s legacy extends beyond her recordings and performances; she is recognized as a torchbearer of New Orleans music, inspiring both audiences and fellow musicians with her resilience, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Her story of survival and her ongoing commitment to her city and its musical traditions have made her a beloved figure and a symbol of the enduring spirit of New Orleans.

Fun Facts

• Charmaine Neville is an accomplished cook and a member of New Orleans Women In Music.
• She survived Hurricane Katrina and became a prominent voice sharing the experiences and resilience of New Orleanians during the disaster.
• Charmaine has appeared on national television, including a guest spot on 'Touched by an Angel' and as a host for WGBH Radio Boston.
• She is known for her humor and candor, once joking in an interview that she is '21' when asked her age, and is affectionately called 'the sweetheart' of New Orleans music—though she insists she is a perfectionist and not as sweet as people say.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Charles Neville - Father and musical mentor, member of The Neville Brothers; provided early exposure and guidance in New Orleans music traditions. (General influence, family collaborations) [1956–present]

Key Collaborators

• Amasa Miller - Co-leader and keyboardist of the Charmaine Neville Band; long-term musical partnership. (Before the Storm, regular Snug Harbor performances) [1980s–present]
• Detroit Brooks - Guitarist in the Charmaine Neville Band; key contributor to live and recorded projects. (Before the Storm, live performances) [2000s–present]
• Gerald French - Drummer in the Charmaine Neville Band; known for dynamic interplay with other band members. (Before the Storm, live performances) [2000s–present]
• Jesse Boyd - Bassist in the Charmaine Neville Band; foundational member in live and studio settings. (Before the Storm, live performances) [2000s–present]
• The Neville Brothers - Family band; Charmaine performed as a backing vocalist and collaborator. (Fiyo On The Bayou (1981)) [1980s]
• Harry Connick Jr. and Bobby McFerrin - Bandmates in The Survivors, an early-career group. (New New Orleans Music: Jump Jazz (1988)) [1980s]

Artists Influenced

• New Orleans musicians and vocalists - Charmaine’s leadership, resilience, and musical style have inspired a new generation of New Orleans artists, especially women in jazz and funk. (Mentorship and collaboration in the New Orleans music community) [1990s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. second line (Queen of the Mardi Gras)
2. the right key but the wrong keyhole (it's about time)
3. it ain't my fault (Queen of the Mardi Gras)
4. iko iko (Queen of the Mardi Gras)
5. Da Rhythm (Before the Storm)
6. softly , as in a morning sunrise (it's about time)
7. mardi gras in new orleans (Queen of the Mardi Gras)
8. clean up (Queen of the Mardi Gras)
9. Indian Medley: Shoo Fly / Fire Water / Iko Iko / Indian Red (Before the Storm)
10. dance (it's about time)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #jazz