November 3, 2024

Nathan Haines – Powerstation: November 2, 2024 (13th Floor Concert Review)

Nathan Haines took over Auckland’s Powerstation with an 11-piece band, all in support of his new album, Notes. The 13th Floor’s Monique Perera and Den O’Keeffe were there to bring you the pictures and the words.

He came. He played. He conquered …. There are so many words that come to play literally, when it comes to describing a performance from NZ’s own (and beyond) jazz and all-round national treasure- Nathan Haines, that it is very hard to whittle it down to a short collective memory.

Nathan Haines Performing at the PowerStation at November the 2nd with a delightfully respective crowd, both seasoned and ingenue’; Tamaki Makerau’s release of Nathan Haines’ 11th album Notes was a memorable experience, since his last album release of 6 or more years ago,

With an illustrious career spanning over 30 years, countless productions with an array of collaborators from NZ and UK and further afield; Notes is indeed a labour of love; a touching tribute, to the trials and tribulations that one encounters as even a person, let alone a multi-faceted and highly revered musician and producer; with a body of work that belies time and includes artistic connections such as: Marlena Shaw, Mike De Clive Lowe and Phil Asher, to name but a few …

Nathan Haines The latter, being a major figure in Haines earlier albums Squire for Hire and most highly renowned Sound Travel – a dear friend and producer in this most recent and love satiated album, whose presence must have been significantly felt, following his passing in the final stages of the release of the self-prophesying album, Notes

Nathan Haines, has without a doubt; set a precedence of musical production and innate passion for the genre of jazz that pioneers the path, with countless collaborations that we as an audience, were lucky to be part of, in this second coming (so to speak) in the release of this undoubtedly, soon to be revered catalogue of work.

The Chef de Jour’ as I colloquially describe, on account of his choice of dress on this particular occasion, opened the set with a decidedly energetic bang! Love you More was a literally colourful performance with beautifully strong vocals supported by Lisa Tomlins & co.

Followed by ever such exceeding certainty with the number Just Holding On – A soulful and chilled R&B layered track, featuring our own ‘EO’ whose soulful voice we were to be treated to again further along in the night’s performances.

Nathan Haines

With an 11-piece band, featuring his own brother Joel Haines on guitar and brilliant vocals provided by: Rachel Clarke Storm, Come into the Light – La Coco and Vanessa Freemans collaboration Brother of Mine. Sam Ellen Give Thanks (amongst many others) Haines undoubtedly delivered, alongside the soulful and unsurpassed talent of his lovingly curated and featured artists. The energy was exuberant and the audience passionately devoted and entranced to the very end, with a reflective and memorizing rendition of the classic and aptly titled, Southern Friends. A wonderful tapestry and fusion of contemporary jazz/electronic, dance and soul funk, while still holding true to the offbeat and syncopation of the true jazz genre.