About Neal Casal
Neal Casal was born in Denville, New Jersey in 1968. He was a songwriter, singer, guitarist, record producer, photographer, surfer and friend.
When his parents divorced in the mid-70’s, Neal moved with his mom from NJ to Georgia to California, before coming back to NJ and growing up in Rockaway, NJ. After graduating high school in 1987 and the end of his high school rock band, Exire, Neal started working at a guitar store called The Music Maker in Hackettstown, NJ. It was there he met a musician named Davis Jaynes, who would become Neal’s mentor and a huge influence on his guitar style. They would play guitar together at the store all day and spent a year or so playing shows together around New Jersey, where Neal would develop the sound that would become the foundation of his solo career.
Neal would go on to appear on multiple recordings as a member of bands like Circles Around the Sun, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Beachwood Sparks, The Skiffle Players and Hard Working Americans. He added his sublime musical touch to studio sessions and live performances by a long list of artists, including Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Sheryl Crow, Lucinda Williams, The Jayhawks, James Iha and Vetiver.
His vast body of solo work was embraced by audiences worldwide and continues to be rediscovered in his passing. With the formation of the Neal Casal Music Foundation, the body of work Casal left behind, including an extensive archive of unreleased material, will be reimagined to further shine a light on his artistry, while providing resources to raise money for positive change.
Neal Casal brought joy to so many and, in his absence, the Foundation created in his name will further that purpose. It also hopes to reflect back to Casal the beauty he brought to this world in pursuit of a life dedicated to music and art.
Neal Graeme Casal
November 2, 1968 – August 26, 2019
Photo by Kevin Wells (top)
Photo by Jay Blakesberg (bottom)
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