Biography
Leo Nocentelli helped form the Meters, the pioneering New Orleans funk ensemble whose largely instrumental sets kept the group at the center of the local scene and earned wider recognition largely through his distinctive polyrhythmic guitar work. Over time he cultivated a highly personal, vamp-driven approach that draws from blues, rock, rap, jazz, and funk. He has written more than two hundred songs, among them the classic “Cissy Strut” and “Hey Pocky A-Way,” several of which have been covered by Joe Cocker, Etta James, Albert King, and George Duke. In 1971 he recorded a solo project at Cosimo Matassa’s Jazz City Studio in New Orleans alongside the Meters’ rhythm section and producer-keyboardist Allen Toussaint; the tapes remained unreleased and presumed missing for five decades until Light in the Attic brought out the mostly acoustic set as Another Side in 2021.
Although he has long been identified as a funk guitarist, Nocentelli initially aspired to a jazz career. He developed his technique in isolation by studying recordings of Charlie Christian, Barney Kessel, Johnny Smith, and Kenny Burrell. Early professional experience came with Danny White, followed by a period in Art Neville & the Hawkettes, the group that eventually became the Meters alongside George Porter, Jr. and Joseph “Ziggy” Modeliste. Session credits accumulated with Peter Gabriel, Earl King, Dr. John, Lee Dorsey, Patti LaBelle, and the Wild Tchoupitoulas—an offshoot of the Meters—as well as Manhattan Transfer, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, Bonnie Raitt, Sting, and the Winans.
His debut release, Live in San Francisco on DJM Records, originated without prior planning. During an unrecorded appearance at the club Slim’s he simply performed for his regular audience; afterward a listener presented him with a DAT recording of the set. Years later, while transferring the tape to cassette in a friend’s studio, DJM chief Daniel Moore overheard the music and offered to issue it.
Nocentelli remained with an iteration of the band known as the Funky Meters until 1993, at which point he chose to work independently. Additional credits include contributions to the film scores for White Men Can’t Jump, Blaze, and Heartbreakers, along with television spots on An Evening at the Improv and Saturday Night Live.
Light in the Attic released Nocentelli’s solo album Another Side in 2021. Recorded at Cosimo Matassa’s Jazz City Studio in 1971, the material had long been considered lost. The collection contains nine original compositions plus an acoustic-guitar rendition of Elton John’s “Your Song” featuring George Porter, Jr. and Zigaboo Modeliste—the Meters’ rhythm section—plus album producer Allen Toussaint on keyboards.
Although he has long been identified as a funk guitarist, Nocentelli initially aspired to a jazz career. He developed his technique in isolation by studying recordings of Charlie Christian, Barney Kessel, Johnny Smith, and Kenny Burrell. Early professional experience came with Danny White, followed by a period in Art Neville & the Hawkettes, the group that eventually became the Meters alongside George Porter, Jr. and Joseph “Ziggy” Modeliste. Session credits accumulated with Peter Gabriel, Earl King, Dr. John, Lee Dorsey, Patti LaBelle, and the Wild Tchoupitoulas—an offshoot of the Meters—as well as Manhattan Transfer, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, Bonnie Raitt, Sting, and the Winans.
His debut release, Live in San Francisco on DJM Records, originated without prior planning. During an unrecorded appearance at the club Slim’s he simply performed for his regular audience; afterward a listener presented him with a DAT recording of the set. Years later, while transferring the tape to cassette in a friend’s studio, DJM chief Daniel Moore overheard the music and offered to issue it.
Nocentelli remained with an iteration of the band known as the Funky Meters until 1993, at which point he chose to work independently. Additional credits include contributions to the film scores for White Men Can’t Jump, Blaze, and Heartbreakers, along with television spots on An Evening at the Improv and Saturday Night Live.
Light in the Attic released Nocentelli’s solo album Another Side in 2021. Recorded at Cosimo Matassa’s Jazz City Studio in 1971, the material had long been considered lost. The collection contains nine original compositions plus an acoustic-guitar rendition of Elton John’s “Your Song” featuring George Porter, Jr. and Zigaboo Modeliste—the Meters’ rhythm section—plus album producer Allen Toussaint on keyboards.
Albums
Singles
