Nathan Haines is a New Zealand-born producer, vocalist and saxophonist from Auckland. Born in 1972, he is classically trained on flute and saxophone and develops a style that combines jazz with modern dance music, including broken beat, jazz fusion and nu jazz.

Early life and musical background

Haines grows up in Auckland in a musical family. His father, Kevin Haines, is an acoustic bassist, and Haines spends much of his youth watching him perform. Through his father he first hears jazz, including the work of Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk. He also performs around Auckland with his brother Joel, a guitarist, in his formative years.

Freebass and studies in New York

In the early 1990s, Haines and his brother join Freebass. In 1991 he moves to New York at the age of 19 to continue studying jazz. There he studies with George Coleman, who played saxophone with Miles Davis, and with Joe Lovano. His time in New York strengthens his interest in jazz fusion, especially approaches that blend jazz with hip-hop and dance music.

Recording career

After returning to New Zealand, Haines builds a reputation through his residency at Cause Celebre between 1992 and 1995. From that period he begins work on his first solo album, Shift Left, which is released in 1994 and becomes New Zealand’s highest-selling jazz record. His second major solo album, Sound Travels, appears in 2000 and continues his interest in jazz fused with modern dance music.

His 2003 album Squire for Hire later surpasses the sales of Shift Left. The album has a wide-ranging sound and includes contributions from Mark de Clive-Lowe, Rich Medina, Marcus Begg, Guida da Palma, Bembe Segue, Marlena Shaw and Damon Albarn. Both Sound Travels and Squire for Hire are produced by Phil Asher of Restless Soul Productions.

Sci-Clone and London period

Haines moves to London in 1995 and begins working with musicians linked to the Metalheadz label, including A-Sides. Under the name Sci-Clone, he releases several jungle-influenced singles. The Sci-Clone track “Everywhere I Go (Remix)” appears on DJ-Kicks: Kemistry & Storm. Material from this period is also collected on Soundkilla Sessions Vol. 1, which draws on live and studio recordings from 1995 and 1996.

Later work and collaborations

Haines continues to work with artists based in west London and performs on Jamiroquai’s album Dynamite. His career spans jazz, jazz fusion, broken beat and related club-oriented styles, with projects under both his own name and the Sci-Clone alias.