TUESDAY 6 AUGUST 2019Musician who helped to define
New Orleans R&B
With The Meters and later The Neville Brothers, Art Neville brought
his distinctive funk and soul to worldwide attention
Songs in the key of life: Art ‘Poppa Funk’ Neville performing with The Neville Brothers at The Savoy, New York City, in August 1981
(Redferns/Getty)
GARTH CARTWRIGHT
The death of Art Neville, following those of Dr John and Dave Bartholomew, means New Orleans rhythm
& blues has lost three of its founding fathers this summer. Where Bartholomew was closely associated with
Fats Domino – as his discoverer, producer, band leader and co-songwriter – and Dr John enjoyed a long,
distinctive solo career, Neville, who has died aged 81, will be remembered as a team player, his virtuoso