Vocalist and percussionist Cyril Neville is the youngest of the four Neville Brothers and the member whose deepest roots lie in the funk and street culture of New Orleans — a powerful singer and committed activist whose work has always reflected both the musical traditions and the social struggles of his city.
Biography
Cyril Neville grew up in the Calliope Housing Project, where he absorbed the rhythms of second-line parades and the sounds of New Orleans funk. He became a member of the Meters in the early 1970s and co-founded the Neville Brothers in 1977, contributing both his voice and his percussion to some of the group's most politically charged moments. His solo recordings have extended the funk tradition into new territory, and his activism — particularly around environmental justice and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina — has made him one of New Orleans' most outspoken cultural voices. He continues to perform and record, carrying the New Orleans tradition forward with undiminished passion.
Discography