Cyril Neville regards his lifetime of music and performance as more than just being an entertainer; he considers it a calling to heal. To live out that calling with his son, Omari Neville, is a “dream come true.”

Cyril will headline the Steamboat Mountain Concert Series on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Steamboat Square, playing alongside his son Omari’s band. 

He said the audience in Steamboat should expect to get their “souls stirred” and to bring two pairs of dancing shoes. “Come ready to let your hair down and if you can’t let it down, take it off,” Cyril said. 

As an “ambassador of New Orleans culture,” Cyril was looking forward to playing in Colorado, where people show an appreciation for their music and don’t hesitate to “rock out”. The youngest of the Neville Brothers, Cyril was one of the forefathers of the signature New Orleans sound that combines elements of funk, jazz, soul and rock. Throughout his career and various projects, he’s recorded with music icons like Bob Dylan and Jimmy Buffet and won two Grammys, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. 

But accolades and accomplishments were far from Cyril’s focus when he spoke to The Pilot. He emphasized “the blessing” of being able to write and perform new music with his son. 

“I can’t believe that I get to do this,” Omari said about playing music with his father. He likened the experience to that of his uncles and father playing on stage together. “We’re supposed to keep doing it together…It’s a beautiful thing,” continued Omari, who plays the drums. 

Cyril recalled watching Omari perform since was five years old and playing with his band when Omari was a teenager. He gets inspired for his music by simply walking down the street, but his biggest inspiration was his son. 

“[Omari and his band] have all grown into really seasoned New Orleans musicians. I think I’m very lucky in that sense to have that kind of energy behind me on stage every night,” said Cyril. 

In his now “seasoned” career, Omari said that he has learned that music always has something to teach him. Between the intricacies of landing a groove or creating an entirely new sound, Omari said shedding one’s ego and approaching music with an open mind and heart is key.

“Funkalicious” was the word Omari used to describe their New Orleans style of music. For Cyril, performing their music is a way to sustain the unique tradition and culture surrounding Uptown Funk. “We are the keepers of the Uptown Funk,” he said.

Beyond the sound of the music, both Omari and Cyril spoke of music’s ability to heal through joy and positivity. Omari said that playing the drums and creating different rhythms and beats and watching the joy that it brings to the audience in turn gives him his own sense of happiness. 

Cyril said that the positive energy they put into spreading New Orleans funk translates to the audience. According to him, “the most beautiful part” of live music performances is the emotional connection between musician and audience. 

“Music is not only the universal language, it’s a spiritual force. Music is a healing force that is magic…That’s the lesson I learned a long time ago. That we are not just entertainers, we healers as well,” said Cyril. 

Cyril and his band along with Omari are set to perform their free concert at Steamboat Square at 7:30 p.m. Jeff Kingery will open at 6:00 p.m.