Neville and sons to bring New Orleans flavor to MajesticDate: 8/12/2016 WEST SPRINGFIELD – Music has long been a family affair with the Neville Brothers and the tradition continues with Charles Neville and his two sons, Khalif and Talyn when they bring a taste of New Orleans to the Majestic Theater on Aug. 18.
Charles will present an evening described as “jazz standards, New Orleans funk, rhythm & blues, and Mardi Gras Indian Songs.”
Charles explained to Reminder Publications the show might feature some “special guest vocalists.”
His two sons are 18 and 13 years old and the two-generational group has been playing a number of festivals, some locally such as the Green River Festival and was as the New Orleans Jazz Festival. Khalif performed as a solo artist at the recent Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival.
He said the playlist includes “tunes Khalif likes to play” that range from classic Professor Longhair New Orleans jazz to bebop.
This is the latest phase of Charles’ career, which has included being part of the acclaimed and Grammy-winning Neville Brothers to his own band called Diversity to working with B.B. King and Bobby “Blue” Bland.
More recently he has also worked with The Legends Live On, a group that includes Michael Allman (the son of Gregg Allman), Jeff Pitchell, Sheila Raye Charles (daughter of Ray Charles) and Claudette King (daughter of B.B. King). He said, “it’s always fun for me to play with them – they are all great musicians.”
Making his home now in Huntington – his wife Kristen is one of the two founders and organizers of the Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival – Charles said “there are a lot of good music and a lot of great musicians” in the region.
He added, “There is great stuff happening. I’m musically excited.”
Although located in Western Massachusetts, Charles does tour a great deal as his website (www.charlesnevillesite.com) shows. He still plays in his hometown of New Orleans, but noted the city has changed in more than one way from Hurricane Katrina. With property values decreased, many of the city’s traditional houses have been torn down and new homes have changed the appearances of the neighborhoods.
The musical tradition, although lives on in the new generation of Neville brothers and Charles said retirement is not an option.
“As long as I can, I’m going to play,” he said.
For more ticket information, go to www.majestictheater.com or call 747-7797.
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