Nathan Haines
Nathan Haines (born: 1972) is one of New Zealand’s foremost jazz musicians. His style is said to be a fusion of jazz, modern dance music, and hip-hop.
Classically trained on the Flute and Saxophone he spent a great deal of his youth watching his father, Kevin Haines - an accomplished acoustic bassist, perform. It is through his father that he was exposed to jazz music – specifically music by jazz masters Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk.
The young Haines spent his formative years performing around Auckland with his bother Joel. It was during this time that they formed the group Freebass in the early 90s.
However, it was evident from a young age that New Zealand was too small for the talented performer. In 1991, at the age of 19, he moved to New York to further his study of jazz music. During this period he studied under the guidance of Miles Davis' saxophonist George Coleman, and Joe Lovano. It was during this time in New York, that Nathan was heavily influenced by the concept of jazz fusion - specifically jazz blended with hip-hop and dance music elements. He later returned to New Zealand to work on his first solo album, Shift Left in 1994. later, it became New Zealand’s highest selling jazz record.
In 1995 he moved to London, and further experimented with different sounds. Collaborating with members from London drum and bass record company MetalHeadz, he produced several drum and bass influenced singles, under the pseudonym ‘Sci-clone’.
Soundkilla sessions vol 1 were a mix of live and studio recordings from 1995/1996. ‘Sessions’ was seen as a major step forward – an album to experiment with.
2000 saw the release of Sound Travels, which followed in the tradition of jazz fusion with modern dance.
More recently his work has involved a close relationship with many other west London based artists. In 2003 Squire for Hire showed just how much his style had evolved. The album possesses a unique and diverse sound, Featuring contributions from producers/performers Mark de Clive Lowe, producer/poet Rich Medina, vocalists, Marcus Begg, Guida da Palma, Bembe Segue, Marlena Shaw and Blur front-man Damon.
It is also believed that he has contributed to the as yet un-released album by Jamiroquai, titled ‘Dynamite’.
Albums:
1993 – RAW, Live at Cause Celebre – (under the name Free bass)
1994 - Shift Left
1996 - Soundkilla Sessions vol. 1
2000 – Sound Travels
2003 – Squire for Hire – gold in NZ