Biography
Ivan Neville, born August 19, 1959, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, is a celebrated multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter deeply rooted in the city’s musical heritage. Growing up in the legendary Neville family, he was immersed in music from birth, absorbing the sounds of his father Aaron Neville, uncles Art, Charles, and Cyril Neville, and the pioneering funk of 01_Projects/PersonalArtistWiki/Artists/The_Meters. By high school, Ivan was already performing in local talent shows and soon joined the Neville Brothers, contributing keyboards, percussion, and vocals to their early albums and learning from these masters of New Orleans music.
Ivan's career took off in the mid-1980s when he became a sought-after sideman, performing with Bonnie Raitt (1985–1987), contributing to her album Nine Lives, and playing keyboards on Rolling Stones albums Dirty Work (1986) and Voodoo Lounge (1994). He released his debut solo album, If My Ancestors Could See Me Now, in 1988, scoring a Top 30 Billboard hit with "Not Just Another Girl". A frequent collaborator with Keith Richards, Ivan was a member of the X-Pensive Winos, touring and recording with Richards in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 2003, he co-founded Dumpstaphunk, a powerhouse New Orleans funk band that has become a staple at major festivals worldwide. Ivan's musical style blends New Orleans funk, R&B, soul, and rock, with a distinctive keyboard prowess that channels influences from Professor Longhair, 01_Projects/PersonalArtistWiki/Artists/James_Booker, and 01_Projects/PersonalArtistWiki/Artists/Dr._John. His legacy is marked by both his solo work and his role as a standard-bearer for New Orleans’ musical culture, bridging generations and genres with grace and grit.
Fun Facts
- Ivan Neville won first place in a local talent show as a teenager, which solidified his decision to pursue music professionally.
- He contributed the song “Why Can’t I Fall in Love” to the soundtrack of the 1990 film Pump Up the Volume.
- Despite his family’s fame, Ivan is known for his humility and dedication to the craft, often describing music as a form of spiritual healing.
- He played keyboards on Paula Abdul’s hit albums during the late 1980s and early 1990s, showcasing his versatility across genres.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Aaron Neville - Father and vocal inspiration (Neville Brothers albums, Aaron Neville solo records) [1970s–present]
- Art Neville - Uncle, keyboardist for The Meters and Neville Brothers (Neville Brothers albums, The Meters) [1970s–present]
- Charles Neville - Uncle, saxophonist for Neville Brothers (Neville Brothers albums) [1970s–present]
- Cyril Neville - Uncle, percussionist/vocalist for Neville Brothers (Neville Brothers albums) [1970s–present]
Key Collaborators
- Bonnie Raitt - Touring and recording keyboardist (Nine Lives album, co-wrote “All Day, All Night”) [1985–1987]
- Keith Richards - Keyboardist for X-Pensive Winos, solo albums, and tours (Talk Is Cheap, Main Offender, X-Pensive Winos tours) [1988–1993]
- The Rolling Stones - Session keyboardist (Dirty Work, Voodoo Lounge) [1986, 1994]
- Don Henley - Session musician (Henley solo albums) [1980s–1990s]
- Spin Doctors - Touring member (Live performances) [1990s]
- Dumpstaphunk - Founding member, bandleader (Everybody Want Sum, festival performances) [2003–present]
- New Orleans Social Club - Founding member (Collaborative projects) [2000s]
- Neville Jacobs - Collaborative project with Cris Jacobs (Recordings and performances) [2010s]
Artists Influenced
- Dumpstaphunk members - Bandleader and mentor to younger New Orleans musicians (Dumpstaphunk albums and live shows) [2003–present]
- New Orleans funk/R&B scene - Influenced a generation of musicians through his work with Dumpstaphunk and as a sideman (Festival performances, collaborations) [1980s–present]
Source: Wikipedia
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Say It Loud | 2015-03-31 | Album |
| Carnivale Electricos | 2012-02-21 | Album |
| Listen to the Music | 2018-04-20 | Album |
| TRIUNE | 2025-08-29 | Album |
| Touch My Soul | 2023-04-21 | Album |
| If My Ancestors Could See Me Now | 1988-02-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Fly Like an Eagle
- #bamisforthechildren
- Dreaming Out Loud [Feat. Ivan Neville, Ruthie Foster] (Peace...Like A River)
- Dreaming Out Loud [Feat. Ivan Neville, Ruthie Foster]
- Give It What You Can (Give It What You Can)
- This Must Be The Place (Touch My Soul)
- All Hail the Queen (Ma Belle Reine) (Real People)
- All Along the Watchtower (Listen to the Music)
- Take It High (Say It Loud)
- Take It High (Say It Loud)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Ivan Neville has been played 14 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.