The Neal Family

Raful (Dad)
June 6,1936 - September 1, 2004
Described by reviewers as warm, animated, stylish, precise and economical, the blues music on "Old Friends" mirrors the artist
himself, a native of South Louisiana and a second generation blues player who listened to the greats and carved out his own unique style. A posthumous Slim Harpo Tribute album was Released on True Life Entertainment . more...

 Raful "Lil Ray" Neal (Brother)- Greatly respected blues and jazz guitarist. Currently leading his own band around Louisiana when not working with Bobby "Blue" Bland or his dad. In the past has worked with Little Milton and Bobby Rush. Father of Joshua and Trellis.
Jackie Neal (Sister) – "Jazzy" Jackie Neal
July 7, 1967 – March 10, 2005
Jackie was a Southern Soul/Blues singer who was very popular in Lousiana, Mississippi, Alabama and all surrounding Southern states. Prior to her very untimely death, she had completed four albums: The Blues Won't Let You Go (1995), Lookin For a Sweet Thang (2000), Money Can't Buy Me Love (2002) and Down In Da Club (2005). Flamboyant and full of life, Jackie was a crowdpleaser like no other and she is greatly missed by family and fans alike.		 Frederick (Brother) -
Fredrick Neal Has been Kenny's regular keyboard player since he was in his teens. A good singer, he sounds a bit like his dad. Fredrick is the proud owner of the convertible Cadillac from the movie Crossroads, which he bought from Little Milton.
Darnell Neal (Brother) – Has been bass player with brother Kenny's band since his teens. Also worked some with Baton Rouge flash-in-the-pan Troy Turner. Noel Neal (Brother)- Moved to Chicago and stayed there to play bass with James Cotton in his regular band for many years. Has also worked with Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, Johnny Winter, Koko Taylor, Lucky Peterson, Lonnie Brooks and other mainstays of the Second City scene. He can be heard playing with various artists, both live and in the studio; lately Larry McCray and Sherman Robertson have been using Noel.
Tyree Neal (Nephew)-From the early age of 3 (three), Tyree Neal has been drawn to and performing on stage. Tyree has continued the Neal legacy as a guitarist, singer, keyboardist and although he comes from a blues family, Tyree is also a writer, producer and performer in the hip-hop and r&b genre. His most rewarding experiences were his years as Musical Director, Lead Guitarist and Vocalist for the Jackie Neal Band. His newly released CD, Steppin Out at 22 (Jazzy Records) contains songs dedicated to Jackie, his Mother Charlene and his Grandmother Shirley. The making of the CD a family affair featuring Bro Bro (Jackie's middle son), Syreeta, adopted brother Panther and Kenny Neal, Jr. doing most of the the drums and bass parts. With today's technology, even Aunt Jackie can be heard on the album.

Ronnie Neal (Brother)
May 2, 1961 - April 2004
Strong percussionist. It can be noted that he was a strong singer with a unique voice and had done several recordings including "shattered by a whisper", a duet with Jackie.

Larry Neal (Brother)
Plays drums with Kenny around South Louisiana. Also works with his dad some as both drummer and harmonica/front man. Some consider him the equal of his father and Kenny in stage presence.

Graylon Neal Hoffman(Brother)
Respected and rocking drummer who has played on
Kenny's albums, toured with Fenton Robinson and
worked with many of the great local Baton Rouge
acts.

Charlene & Darlene Neal(Sisters)
Identical twins who occasionally sing and dance with
the family. Charlene is mother of Tyree.

Kenny Neal, Jr.- (Son) After backing up countless artists for the past decade both on stage and in the studio, producer/composer/ musician/multi-instrumentalist Kenny "Bounce" Neal Jr. has released his own debut album, The Best of Bounce. The album features special appearances by members of the Neal Family. Kenny has a strong reputation for adapting to many styles of music using a number of different instruments. The album features collaborations with Kenny Neal Sr., Tyree Neal, Syreeta Neal, Bro Bro (Jackie Neal's middle son), as well as many other well known Canadian rappers and vocalists. Syreeta Neal - (Daughter) Syreeta began studying jazz and classical music at the age of 11 but her most influential "classrooms" were those of her musical family in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She is a singer/songwriter/guitarist and has a voice that has been described as powerful, pure and honest. Syreeta's debut album is entitled Stand Tall.