Jazz bass player stands on the shoulders of the past
Nathan Brown began playing music at the age of 5. Later, he attended Michigan State University and studied jazz bass with Rodney Whitaker and classical bass with Jack Budrow.
He has performed with world renowned artists such as Wess ‘‘Warmdaddy’’ Anderson, Frank Morgan, Paquito D’Rivera, John Faddis, Lewis Nash, and Marquis Hill. And now he’s touring New Zealand. caught up with him recently to chat about his life and career.
What are you plugging right now?
The Nathan Brown Trio’s
New Zealand album release tour.
What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
A world in which the only language spoken is music. Music, unlike spoken language, has the ability to directly communicate human emotions. I feel like the world could use more empathy in this day and age.
Which living person do you most admire?
One of my first great mentors, alto saxophonist Wess ‘‘Warmdaddy’’ Anderson. Wess has the ability to lift the music to higher levels in any musical situation that he is performing in, even after two strokes. It’s so amazing seeing the perseverance of Wess to come back after his strokes and get back into performing. It’s a true testament to the healing power of music.
What’s your most embarrassing moment?
I was playing a gig with a legendary drummer. This was a long time ago when I was very young and inexperienced. I thought I knew everything and could really play the bass. My attitude was much above my playing level at the time. The drummer called me out on it. He started yelling at me on stage in front of the audience. I was so embarrassed. Looking back, I needed that experience to truly grow as a musician. This experience made my go back into the practice room and work out what I needed to do.
Ever stolen anything?
As an improvisational musician, nothing that anyone plays while they solo is truly improvised in the sense that it is completely new and never been played before by any other musician. Improvisers draw upon the musicians they have listened to and checked out – the musicians who have come before them. We all steal each others’ musical licks and ideas. Even if you are composing a song, you are allowed to use a small amount of someone else’s musical ideas. The true identity in improvisation and composing is how you take those ideas and put them together, how you present them. That is where you make it your own. As legendary saxophonist Benny Golson once told me, ‘‘You have to stand on the shoulders of the past in order to look to the future’’.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I love having curly hair, however sometimes, especially when it gets too long, it can be such a pain to make look presentable and not just a huge frizzy mess. I guess I just need to remind myself to get haircuts more often.
If you could time travel, where would you go, and why?
Late 1930s, early 1940s New York City. I would love to be witness to the birth of be-bop music. To hear and play with Charlie ‘‘Bird’’ Parker and to take part in the historic Minton’s Playhouse jam sessions.
What life lesson would you pass on to your children?
Nothing in life that’s free is ever that good. You have to work hard to achieve greatness. No one is going to just give it to you.
If you were given three wishes that you could fulfil by a magic genie, what would they be?
First, I would wish that everyone in the world were musicians. Music is too powerful and special to only be experienced through performance by a small portion of people. As for the other wishes, I don’t really need them. I’m happy with who I am and how my life’s journey is progressing. Out of love, I would give my last two wishes to my partner.
What job would you do other than your own, and why?
Captain on a boat. I love people with great life stories. I’ve met a few captains in my life, and they always have the most amazing stories.
❚ The Nathan Brown Trio’s New Zealand performs at Orange Studio, Christchurch, October 28; Fairfield House, Nelson, October 29; Rhythm section workshop at MusicWorks, Wellington, October 30; WJC at Pyramid Club, Wellington, October 31; CJC at the Thirsty Dog Tavern, Auckland, November 1.