For three decades, the Neville Brothers have created a unique sound out of their individual musical styles and the diverse cultural influences of their native Louisiana bayou.

This musical gumbo will be served up Thursday, when the brothers perform with fellow New Orleans musician Dr. John at the Pikes Peak Center.

"In New Orleans there is a real mixing of cultures, artistically and musically," says Charles Neville, the family band's sax player and chief musicologist. "There was the culture of the African-American community along, with Native American, Cuban, Latin and Creole cultures." (Creole is a combination of African, French and Spanish influences.)

"We also took in elements of Cajun influence, Jewish klezmer music, and Irish-Celtic and Italian influences, too."

Add to these varied ingredients the distinct personalities and musical proclivities of the four brothers, who have been performing together since 1977 and also doing solo performances and recordings.

"Aaron and Art were influenced by doo-wop bands, gospel quartets and rhythm and blues," Charles says. "Cyril was impacted by the soul music of the '60s, like Otis Redding. My influence was mainly jazz, along with the blues."

When the brothers simmer these elements over a hot funk groove, their musical gumbo develops a singular flavor that simultaneously preserves the uniqueness of its many individual elements.

"When we put all those things together, and we each do what we do, the way we do it, those things combine together to make a whole new sound," Charles says.

Charles left New Orleans a decade ago, but the city remains home for other band members and their family-run recording studio. In May, the band played at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, its first show there since 2005, when Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city.

(And with a hurricane that threatened New Orleans on the day of scheduled media interviews, Charles took over for his brothers.)

Charles says music has a deep meaning for the entire Neville family, including the five sons of band members who contributed to the band's 16th and latest album, 2004's "Walkin' in the Shadow of Life."

"New Orleans musicians approach music as something to do for fun and for spiritual expression rather than being something you do to be rich and famous," he says. "Music is truth, and it's what we do from our hearts with the purpose of sharing with the audience."

The same goes for Dr. John, a longtime friend and associate who will open the Thursday concert.

"We had a lot of contact, even though in the early days that was against the law," says Charles, referring to laws and customs that once prevailed in the still racially segregated city.

"Dr. John has a lot of the same influences, but while we went more in the direction of funk, he was more of a jazz player and blues player."

Unlike his brothers, Charles expresses himself primarily through his instrument, not his vocal cords. It's been that way since he saw a film of saxophonist Louis Jordan.

"I thought, this seems cool. I want to do that," he says of his love for the instrument, which only deepened when he saw Charlie Parker play. "I thought, OK, here's what the saxophone can do."

He contributes an occasional background vocal but focuses on his horn. "The saxophone is my voice," he says.

Charles says that blood is the Nevilles' most powerful ingredient .

"We all get along really well," he says.

"We have been doing this together for a really long time, and part of what makes it easier to continue to make the music happen is that we're in sync onstage, emotionally, spiritually and physically.

"Doing that on a daily basis keeps us in time with each other."

LOUISIANA MUSIC MAN TICKLES IVORIES IN STYLE

There's a doctor in the house. And if you're in need of some bluesy, psychedelic boogie-woogie/New Orleans rock 'n' roll, Dr. John has just the right prescription for what ails you. Born Malcolm John Rebennack Jr., Dr. John started his career as a session musician in the '70s. At the time, he was known for his guitar wizardry, but after a gun injury restricted the dexterity of his left ring finger, he migrated to the piano. Borrowing a name from a Louisiana voodoo witch doctor fro m the 19th century, he became Doctor John, The Night Tripper, and then simply Dr. John. One of his biggest hits was a lively cover of "Iko Iko," a song by James Crawford .

DETAILS
THE NEVILLE BROTHERS AND DR. JOHN

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave.
Tickets: $44; available at the Pikes Peak Center and World Arena box offices or ticketswest.com.