When the 2013 schedule for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival was released, we were all surprised to see that only one Neville brother will close the festival.  It’s been a tradition for the Neville Brothers to wrap up the two-weekend fest.  This year, it’s Aaron with his quintet.  The other three brothers will play the first weekend as The Nevilles.  The end of an era.  Aaron has decided that after 30 plus years of being a member of the Neville Brothers and continuing a solo career on the side was just too much for a 72 year old man with asthma.    He has released a new solo album, My True Story, that reflects his love of doo wop.  It’s certainly not his first solo album, but is the first as an ex member of the Neville Brothers.

The Nevilles now aren’t just the brothers Art, Charles and Cyril.  The band includes Aaron’s son Ivan, Art’s son Ian, and a couple longtime instrumentalists from the Neville Brothers.  The three brothers will also continue their solo projects.  They aren’t ruling out a possible reunion with Aaron someday, but it would just be a one-off affair.  Some of them wanted to do a big farewell tour, but Aaron was not interested.  They all claim to be close and love one another, but it is still the end of a 35 year journey.  The Neville Brothers as a band will be missed.  Glad we still have the brothers doing their thing.  Everything changes.