Inspired by past greats
Nathan Brown began playing music at the age of five. 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. Stuff caught up with him recently.
What are you plugging right now?
The Nathan Brown Trio’s This Is the Moment New Zealand album release tour.
What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
A world in which the only language spoken is that of 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. He still has this ability even after suffering 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 at it today, I needed that experience in order to truly grow as a musician. This experience made my go back into the practice room and work out what I needed to work out.
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 from other musicians 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 to long) it can be such a pain to manage and 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 1930, early 40s 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.
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.
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 was a musician. Music is too powerful and special to only be experience 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 withes to my fiance!
The Nathan Brown Trio’s will play at the Queenstown Jazz Festival from October 21 to 23.