The Neville Family is a gifted musical and creative family in the United States. Ivan Neville began absorbing the musical attitudes of his family at birth and learned to play keyboards guitar bass and drums.
Ivan’s blood line runs through two of the most influential groups that New Orleans has ever produced, and he was privileged to have played alongside members of both groups during his formative years. His uncle, Art “Poppa Funk” Neville, was a celebrated vocalist and keyboardist with the Meters, an iconic New Orleans funk band that has been sampled extensively by modern musicians. Art was also a co-founder of the Neville Brothers, along with Ivan’s uncles Charles and Cyril, and Ivan’s father, Aaron Neville, a widely respected balladeer and vocal stylist. The musical repertoire of the Neville Brothers transcended not only different generations, but also diverse genres such as carnival rhythms, pop, soul, R&B, and jazz. Through their collective identity, they catalyzed the cultural life of Black New Orleans and fostered a musical identity that united their unique talents with elegance and tenacity.
It wasn’t long before he became a pivotal member of Bonnie Raitt’s band Rufus Keith Richards & the Xpensive Winos and the Spin Doctors.
Ivan launched his solo career with the acclaimed “If My Ancestors Could See Me Now” and Thanks. Ivan also wrote and co-produced Saturday Morning Music, which includes a timeless hybrid of soul, rock, and New Orleans Funk that translates into an incomparable modern musical gumbo.
Ivan plays ferocious funk and jams with his bandmates in the dynamic funk supergroup Dumpstaphunk.
Ivan Neville released his new solo album ‘Touch My Soul‘ in 2023, after a 20-year hiatus. The album celebrates Neville’s personal and artistic journey, featuring collaborations with several artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Michael McDonald, Aaron Neville, Cyril Neville, Trombone Shorty, David Shaw and members of Preservation Hall. The album’s latest single is a cover of Talking Heads’ “This Must Be The Place.” The album carries a New Orleans vibe and includes songs such as “Hey All Together” and “Greatest Place On Earth.”
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.