Writing magazine articles, children's books, plays, acting in movies, singing and speaking out for what she believes to be righteous not just for herself but for others; family, friends even fellow brothers and sisters whether she has met them or not is what makes Gaynielle Neville a woman to be recognized.
Alongside her husband multi-talented musical artist, song writer, producer, Ambassador for Chahta Indians and motivational speaker to protect the rights of all people,
Cyril Neville is a man to be heard; this couple represents not just what it takes to be talented performers but as a team and as individuals they portray their beliefs in what is right for themselves and others everyday in their music and involvement as supporters for many good causes such as the New Orleans Musicians Organized, the Voice of the Wetlands and the Chahta Indians reformation.
Cyril’s song, “The Uptown Ruler,” describes his title in the lyrics, “I’m the Uptown Ruler everywhere I go…Indian fire in my soul, me and my tribe stay ready to roll, the whole true story never been told…” perfectly fits the man with the title. He refers to his wife, Gaynielle, as his Queen and the band members added the “G” referring to her as, “Queen G,” (Jazz Hop Queen) because she is admired and stands out as the title suggest. You could never look at her or hear in her tone of voice and imagine that such a soft spoken, peaceful spirit has accomplished so much without a murmur of,
“Guess what I did?” Instead she is a quiet, mild mannered, easy to talk with and willing to share her knowledge and experience with anyone that shares her drive to be successful. Together Cyril and Gaynielle Neville have joined their talents, dreams, family, beliefs and admiration for each other not just as a marriage but also as a partnership, and a friendship with a love that not only held strong but also flourished over the years.
When speaking about their marriage Gaynielle said, “In the beginning the relationship had its rough spots but we knew how to work it out. When we started having kids it became easier because he became my best friend.” Cyril commented, “The last 32 years of my life have been the happiest because she and our two children have been a part of it.” While the children Liryca, born January 28, 1982, and Omari, born February 14, 1988, were very young Gaynielle put her dreams on hold with no regrets. When Omari was only two years he needed a major surgery that would frighten any parent. On the day of the surgery with fear in their every breath together they placed their faith in God, in Gaynielle words, “As we held each other and prayed we became stronger together.” This small innocent two year old boy unaware of any dangers led to a lesson for his parents as Gaynielle describes the moment, “Omari made us know we can conquer anything together as a family.” For Cyril the memory will never be forgotten as he says, “It seemed like a test of our faith as we held on to each other our faith deepened and strengthened; even though our marriage was already strong it suddenly became cemented. A painful and spiritual experience…” Cyril went on to say, “Today, now having Omari in the studio with us and producing me and Gaynielle is like an answered prayer. My daughter Liryca is like a strong right hand to me and I love the way she is raising my grandson Ari. When we named my daughter, Liryca; we decided to spell my name backwards with an “a” added at the end. But she is the one that keeps us straight and forward with this new age of internet.” Liryca has recently graduated as a professional massage therapist but her fingers best performance is heard when she is playing classical music on the piano. When talking about his family Cyril best expresses his feelings with these words, “I am very proud of Liryca and Omari, I thank God everyday that they are a part of my life and for being blessed to have Gaynielle my queen-my wife.”
It
’s very believable when you hear these two speak of their relationship and family because over the years with their actions, talents and musical creations the messages are drawn from the beliefs that they share. Believing in the unity of family and respecting each other as individuals Cyril and Gaynielle have supported each other as a team and as a person with their own ambitions.
Gaynielle while a part of the band Uptown Allstars continued her path to reach her goals in acting. She was in the drama film, “Eve’s Bayou,” in 1997 and 1998 she performed in the film based on Toni Morrison’s novel, “Beloved.” Then in 1999 she was a dialect coach for the HBO premier movie, “A Lesson Before Dying.”
With a special talent in writing Gaynielle has been writing songs for many years a few are: song written “Ayiti,” about Haiti in 1988, “One More Day,” on the Neville Brothers CD in 1992, “Diamonds In The Ruff,” in 1994 (written for her band at that time known as “Diamonds”), wrote seven songs on Cyril’s album “Soulo,” released in 2000, “Giggle Bubble,” the theme song for “Giggle Bubble Dreams,” storybook with an online TV Channel called Giggle Bubble TV in 2008, in 2006 a song about the Saints football team titled “What You Think About Them Saints They Too Damn Good” which was re-recorded in 2009, the latest album, “Essential Cyril Neville,” released on May 4, 2010 includes the song “Ayiti.” To Gaynielle as she says it, “I love to write. It just seems to come out on paper the same as if I was having a conversation with someone,” this is obvious in her songs.
Without limiting her love for writing Gaynielle has written Children’s books the titles are “The Duchess of Notches Drive” and “Alini Cai Look Up In The Sky.” Also, “My Grandfather Doesn’t Know Me,” about a child’s awareness of a grandparent suffering with Alzheimer’s now being published. In 2004 Gaynielle wrote a play titled, “Why You Want to Kill Your Brother,” which premiered in March, 2004 at the Neighborhood Gallery in New Orleans with rave reviews it was held over for another week. She then gave a free performance for students in the New Orleans area with over 1,000 given the opportunity to see the play. The continued success into the following year was shortened by the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina.
Today Gaynielle can be heard singing with her band, “Ladies of New Orleans,” the members are: Cynthia Chen on piano, Dorise Blackmon playing guitar, Deri Tucker a backup singer, Liryca Neville a backup singer, Terri Cranford on drums, Gaynielle as lead singer. The first song with band is being released soon titled, “Party or Go Home.” Her magazine articles can be read in the “Breakthru Media Magazine,” and online at the breakthrumediamagazine.com website.
Cyril was the youngest of the Neville brothers but his passion for music was inherited into him the same as his brothers. Singing professionally in 1967 at the age of 19 and releasing his first solo single, “Gossip,” b/w “Tell Me What’s On Your Mind,” with backup music by the Meters in 1970. For a few years Cyril joined the Meters with his vocals and on the congas as a member of the group. After a few years with the Meters the Neville’s formed a group they named the Neville Brothers. The brothers performed together but respected each brother’s growth into establishing their own individual styles and skills separately as well as with each other which define their title, “The First Family of Funk.”
Living his lifestyle as Cyril says, “I never accepted how society said the way it should be, instead, I felt that it was up to me to decide how I would worship or how I choose to live.” Cyril lives as he believes in his words, “We are all one family, one race which is the family of the human race.” Then he referenced his song, “We the People,” to have a message that delivers his belief. He goes on to explain the title chosen for their band, “Tribe 13,” has the word tribe because it means family and the word family means nations. The number – 13 represents the 13th ward, once called, “The Village of Tchoupitoulas” where Cyril grew up. It’s obvious that he is a man to be heard as you listen to his messages in his songs and realize he lives by his own messages of what he believes regarding family not just with words but with actions.
Over the years Cyril has shown his musical talents for audiences all over the world singing and playing congas as the featured artist or with other artist and groups such as: the Meters, Dr. John, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Buffet, Tab Benoit, and others. A few of his solos are: “Gossip,” “Soulo,” “This Is My Country,” “Big Chief,” and “Just For The Funk Of It.” A few songs by Cyril Neville and the Uptown All-Stars are: “The Fire This Time” (LP) and Living in Fear, both recorded in 1994. Then with Tribe 13 “Mean Things Happening”(LP) recorded in 2007, “Talkin’ bout New Orleans,”(CD) recorded in 2007, “The Healing Dance”(LP) recorded in 2008, “Cyril Neville & Tribe 13:Jazz Fest Live 2010”(LP) recorded in 2010 these are just a few. The music describes Cyril’s feelings when he says, “The message is in the music while keeping the people dancing at the same time.”
Cyril and Gaynielle feel blessed to have great adult children Kenric, Talitha, Cyril Jr., Louis, Imani and 17 grandchildren. As a couple and as individuals they have made music with the Neville Brothers, nieces, nephews, their own sons and daughters along with many other talented and famous musicians. Together they share their talents with their children and have gone a step further by including their nieces and nephews in the latest production of The Nevilluations. For Cyril organizing The Nevillution performance for the 2010 Jazz Festival is opening the stage for the next generation of “The First Family of Funk,” with pride and commitment Cyril said, “The family that prays together stays together so I figure the family that prays together and plays together should definitely stay together.”
For Contact Information visit www.cyrilneville.net
email: [email protected], myspace.com/queengjazzhopqueen
Contact: Rueben Williams (Thunderbird Management) 985-688-5858
Written by Deborah Nocentelli
CYRIL NEVILLE " THE UPTOWN RULER "
AND GAYNIELLE HIS QUEEN G
Cyril and Gaynielle Neville posing in their garden
