N
athaniel Bassey was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He is
from Ikot Ofon Ikono, Uyo local government area in
Akwa-Ibom state, South-South Nigeria. His father,
Mr E Joshua Bassey, was a minister in The Apostol-
ic Church Bashua Assembly and from an early age he developed
ABOUT
ME
Nathaniel, a graduate of Politics and International
Relations at the University of London, also serves as
a love for both music and the gospel. He was inspired when He
the director of music at the RCCG; The King’s Court.
saw Dr Panam Percy Paul, a prominent Nigerian gospel music
He has attended music courses in and out of the
icon in concert over twenty years ago and since then,.His pas-
country including the Middlesex University Summer
sion for music has grown and translated.into various musical
School UK, where he studied popular music and mu-
experiences. In his early years, he developed a rather uncommon
sic business.
interest for jazz music and began listening, imitating and playing
to the music of.Louis Armstrong, Miles Davies, Clifford Brown,
He writes, sings and produces his own music and
Charlie Parker, Stan Getz and Kirk Whalum, Phil Driscoll, Hugh
records with diverse groups of musicians.
Masakela and other Jazz luminaries. His zeal for the Jazz form
would later stir him to seek out bands and groups along the Jazz
Nathaniel’s debut album Elohim was recorded and
lines. He then joined a top jazz quartet in Lagos, Spectrum 4,
mixed in Cape Town, South Africa in the year 2008.
where he played alongside his childhood friends.
It has been described as a spiritual and Artistic masterpiece with the hit track “Someone’s knocking at
born to
worship
As time passed, Nathaniel began sensing a deep yearning within.
the door” a soft-rock tune currently generating so
There was more to his music than he thought. He later took time
much interest locally and internationally.
off his numerous mainstream commitments to seek the Lord under the Mentorship and guidance of Late Pastor Eskor Mfon, the
former Pastor of The Redeemed Christian Church Of God, City Of
David Parish.
This decision attracted fierce criticisms from friends, Artistes
and colleagues who thought it unthinkable abandoning what
was becoming a thriving mainstream music career to serve exclusively at a local church. As he developed an intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit, He then realised that music was more
than an item to fill a space in time but was a fundamental tool in
the praise and worship of the Lord.
Nathanielbassey.or g
Soon after, a music ministry was born and for Nathaniel, the main
thrust was WORSHIP – Music of heaven – one that ministered
exclusively to the Lord and an avenue through which HE related
with His people. His trumpet playing coupled with a calm.singing
style has since ushered many in concerts,crusades and churches into the presence of the LORD.
About that time Nat, as he is fondly called, was approached by one of the
Rhodes to lead, arguably, the first Jazz Orchestra in the country – THE
STEVE RHODES OCHESTRA.
He served as band leader and lead trumpet player for a period of two years
and later moved on with his music career.
His peculiar and particularly soulful trumpet playing style caught the ears
of top Artistes and composers within and outside the country. Teemac,
Ayo Bankole Jr, Cobhams Asuquo, Wole Oni, Yinka Davies, Adlan Cruise,
Funsho Ogundipe, Peter King, Sotiris Papadopoulus, Paul Petersen, The
meet
Source:
most respectable figures in the Nigerian jazz and music circle, Elder Steve
NATHANIEL BASSEY
French Cultural centre,American International School, are but a few individuals and organisations that have sought his musical ingenuity.
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