Nathan Haines (born: 1972) is one of New Zealand's foremost jazz musicians. His style is said to be a fusion of jazz and modern dance music. 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. ...show more

Nathan Haines (born: 1972) is one of New Zealand's foremost jazz musicians. His style is said to be a fusion of jazz and modern dance music. 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 brother Joel (guitarist). It was during this time that they joined the group Freebass in the early 1990s. 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. Between 1992 and 1995 his residency at the club Cause Celebre became legendary. ...show less