THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Nathan Haines

It seems extraordinary to report that even though Nathan Haines is still a young man, he has been playing jazz for 25 years. First with his bassist father Kevin and brother Joel as Second Generation when he was still at school, and then through the clubs of Auckland, New York and London, and graduating onto concert stages.

And along the way he has recorded one fine album after another. Even when he signed up with Murray Thom's music label, known for its rather safe MOR albums, Haines' Music for Cocktail Lovers had an edgy integrity.

And now he presents The Poet's Embrace on his own Haven Music label -- through which Kevin Field's album Field of Vision came -- and which is being distributed by Warners. And there is even a limited edition LP version.

And for it his quartet recorded direct to analog in York Street Studios in two sessions in December 2011. It is jazz as it should be: live and direct, and played from the head and heart simultaneously.

Time then for Nathan Haines to join the illustrious list of those who have answered The Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire. 

The first piece of music which really affected you was . . .

Anything from Stevie Wonder’s Music of My Mind

Your first (possibly embarrassing) role models in music were . . .

Charlie Parker (not too embarrassing...)

Lennon or Jagger, Ramones or Nirvana, Madonna or Gaga, Jacko or Jay-Z?

If I had to pick one well Jacko but only his Quincy Jones period...there's no classical in there either!

If music was denied you, your other career choice would be . . .

Journalist

The three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear are . . .

Agua De Marco by Antonio Carlos Jobim,  Song of the Underground Railroad by John Coltrane, Felix Leo by Rodney Franklin

Any interesting, valuable or just plain strange musical memorabilia at home?

A collection of analog synths (Jupiter 8, Prophet T8, ARP Odyssey) and a hand built 18 valve integrated early 80’s amplifier, Linn Sondek LP12 turntable, 1964 Selmer MK6 tenor, Grafton bakelite alto sax (as played by Ornette Coleman)….lots of original jazz vinyl!!

The best book on music or musicians you have read is . . .

The Making of a Love Supreme by Ashley Khan

If you could get on stage with anyone it would be . . . (And you would play?)

McCoy Tyner and yes I would play if he let me

The three films you'd insist anybody watch because they might understand you better are . . .

Yojimbo - Akira Kurosawa, The Seventh Seal - Ingmar Bergman,  The Wrong Arm of the Law feat. Peter Sellers

The last CD or vinyl album you bought was . . . (And your most recent downloads include . . .)

No downloads, last album from trade me…. Indo-British Ensemble - Curried Jazz - LP 1969

One song, royalties for life, never have to work again. The song by anyone, yourself included, which wouldn't embarrass you in that case would be . . .

I wouldn’t want to never have to work again

The poster, album cover or piece of art could you live with on your bedroom forever would be . . .

A Love Supreme John Coltrane

You are allowed just one tattoo, and it is of . . .

No way!

David Bowie sang, “Five years, that's all we've got . . .” You would spend them where, doing . . .?

Exactly what I am doing now – well not answering questions but making records in an truly analog fashion

And finally, in the nature of press conferences in Japan, “Can you tell me please why this is your best album ever?”

Well it could be my best album ever because it has been a dream of mine to make a record like this but I was never good enough – I worked hard, had a great band, and I feel a good recording was made.

We all played at the same time in the same room, and couldn't change anything afterwards. Old school yes, but albums are not made like that anymore.

Jazz is not a young man’s game if it’s to be in some way up there with the real thing.