He was a musician, songwriter and producer born in New Orleans and one of the most influential figures in New Orleans R&B.
He apprenticed under Dave Bartholomew at sessions with artists including Fats Domino. He played piano on Ernie K-Doe’s No. 1 hit “Mother in Law”.
An accomplished songwriter, he wrote many hit records such as “Working in A Coalmine” for Lee Dorsey and other artist’s works including Robert Palmer and Solomon Burke. For many of his works in the ’50s and ’60s he was credited as Naomi Neville, which was his mother’s maiden name, as a pseudonym and they were covered by people like Glen Campbell, Bonny Raitt, Boz Scaggs and Glen Campbell. He also wriote “Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette)” recorded by Ringo Starr which was attributed to Noomi Neville.
He produced material for Dr. John, Labelle and Art & Aaron Neville and arranged the horn music for The Band’s 1971 album Cahoots.
He launched his own solo career in the 1970s where he often partnered with Marshall Sehorn who he owned the Sea-Saint recording studio with. The studio was also used by Paul McCartney, Robert Palmer, Paul Simon and Labelle.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
In 2006 he collaborated with Elvis Costello on the album The River in Reverse.
Amazing Rhythm Aces recordings
Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette) (Noomi Neville)
Glen Campbell Recordings
Southern Nights (Allen Toussaint)
Capitol 4376 S93475A
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