Cyril Neville Releases Dont Wait Til Im Gone, a New Orleans Funk Album Featuring Family and Local Legends

New Orleans legend Cyril Neville has released his first solo studio album in over a decade, ‘Don’t Wait Til I’m Gone,’ on May 29 2026. The 10‑track record was produced by trumpeter and vocalist Shamarr Allen and features a wide array of local musicians, including members of the Hot 8 Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins, Big Chief Donald Harrison Jr., and Neville’s own son Omari and grandson Ari. The album blends funk, hip‑hop, rock and traditional New Orleans rhythms, and carries a message of empowerment that Neville says was inspired by a recent performance for inmates at the Orleans Justice Center.

The inspiration came when Neville joined trumpeter Irvin Mayfield and his band for a Thanksgiving‑morning concert at the Orleans Justice Center. “I said, ‘Look, y’all might be in here right now, but just remember you are the master of your destiny…’” Neville recalled. The experience stayed with him and surfaced again in the studio with Allen, who played a demo that led to the quick creation of the track “Lemonade.” The song, backed by the Hot 8 Brass Band, urges listeners to turn challenges into opportunities.

‘Don’t Wait Til I’m Gone’ is the first full‑length studio release from the 77‑year‑old artist since 2013. The album was assembled after a simple phone call from Allen, who “has a renegade spirit,” Neville said. Allen’s background includes work with Galactic, Rebirth Brass Band, Patti LaBelle and Willie Nelson, and his eclectic approach helped Neville step outside his comfort zone. “I was hesitant to embrace some of the newer avenues they have now for recording, but I finally was convinced to get out of my own way,” Neville said.

The record also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Wild Tchoupitoulas’ self‑titled 1976 album, a landmark Mardi Gras Indian funk record that featured the four Neville brothers and The Meters. Neville performed the album’s songs at Jazz Fest 2026, bringing members of the Wild Tchoupitoulas to the stage. He used the track “Poppa Wa Ditty” to recount the tribe’s origin story, while the closing “Sunrise on the River” tracks reference the Mississippi River’s sacredness in the tradition.

Family involvement is a key theme. The album includes “Our Love,” a smooth, soulful tune dedicated to Neville’s wife, featuring trumpet by 15‑year‑old Donte Allen, Shamarr’s son. The track also nods to The Meters’ “Be My Lady” in its horn line. “You Hold Me Down,” written by 19‑year‑old grandson Ari, adds a progressive R&B flavor. Neville said, “It’s a New Orleans tradition to bring the next generation into the recording process.”

Other collaborators on the album include Kermit Ruffins on “Positive Is How I Live,” Big Chief Donald Harrison Jr. and Aaron Neville on the title track, which Aaron co‑wrote with pianist Michael Goods. The album also features Omari Neville and his band The Fuel—bassist Daryl Johnson, guitarist Gregg Molinario and keyboardist Austin Clements—who released their own album “Voo Doo” on the same day, blending rock, funk and blues.

The album is available on vinyl, digital download and streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. According to the official release page, the vinyl edition includes the full track list and is sold through CyrilNevilleMusic.com. The record’s 35‑minute runtime showcases a “musical gumbo of New Orleans culture,” as Neville described.

‘Don’t Wait Til I’m Gone’ captures a moment of reflection and celebration for the New Orleans music community. The project’s collaborative spirit, intergenerational participation and homage to the city’s cultural roots make it a notable addition to the region’s contemporary discography.