Nathaniel 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 Apostolic Church
Bashua Assembly and from an early age he developed a love for both music
and the gospel.
He was inspired when He saw Dr Panam Percy Paul, a prominent Nigerian
gospel music icon in concert over twenty years ago and since then,.His
passion for music has grown and translated.into various musical
experiences.
His father, Mr E Joshua Bassey, was a minister in The Apostolic Church
Bashua Assembly and from an early age he developed a love for both music
and the gospel.
He was inspired when He saw Dr Panam Percy Paul, a prominent Nigerian
gospel music icon in concert over twenty years ago and since then,.His
passion for music has grown and translated.into various musical
experiences.
In his early years, he developed a rather uncommon interest for jazz
music and began listening, imitating and playing to the music of.Louis
Armstrong, Miles Davies, Clifford Brown, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz and
Kirk Whalum, Phil Driscoll, Hugh Masakela and other Jazz luminaries. His
zeal for the Jazz form would later stir him to seek out bands and
groups along the Jazz lines. He then joined a top jazz quartet in Lagos,
Spectrum 4, where he played alongside his childhood friends.
music and began listening, imitating and playing to the music of.Louis
Armstrong, Miles Davies, Clifford Brown, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz and
Kirk Whalum, Phil Driscoll, Hugh Masakela and other Jazz luminaries. His
zeal for the Jazz form would later stir him to seek out bands and
groups along the Jazz lines. He then joined a top jazz quartet in Lagos,
Spectrum 4, where he played alongside his childhood friends.
About
that time Nat, as he is fondly called, was approached by one of the
most respectable figures in the Nigerian jazz and music circle, Elder
Steve 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.
that time Nat, as he is fondly called, was approached by one of the
most respectable figures in the Nigerian jazz and music circle, Elder
Steve 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 French Cultural centre,American International School, are
but a few individuals and organisations that have sought his musical
ingenuity.
As
time passed, Nathaniel began sensing a deep yearning within. There was
more to his music than he thought. He later took time 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.
time passed, Nathaniel began sensing a deep yearning within. There was
more to his music than he thought. He later took time 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. 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.
Nathaniel,
a graduate of Politics and International Relations at the University of
London, also serves as the director of music at the RCCG; The King’s
Court. He has attended music courses in and out of the country including
the Middlesex University Summer School UK, where he studied popular
music and music business. He writes, sings and produces his own music
and records with diverse groups of musicians.
a graduate of Politics and International Relations at the University of
London, also serves as the director of music at the RCCG; The King’s
Court. He has attended music courses in and out of the country including
the Middlesex University Summer School UK, where he studied popular
music and music business. He writes, sings and produces his own music
and records with diverse groups of musicians.
Nathaniel’s debut album Elohim was recorded and mixed in Cape Town,
South Africa in the year 2008. It has been described as a spiritual and
Artistic masterpiece with the hit track “Someone’s knocking at the door” a soft-rock tune currently generating so much interest locally and internationally.
South Africa in the year 2008. It has been described as a spiritual and
Artistic masterpiece with the hit track “Someone’s knocking at the door” a soft-rock tune currently generating so much interest locally and internationally.
