Vermillion Skies

Nathan Haines is an internationally renowned saxophonist, composer, producer, bandleader and vocalist with a body of work in multiple styles stretching back for over two decades.

The eldest son of jazz bassist Kevin Haines, Nathan was born into a very musical home on the North Shore of Auckland in New Zealand. Along with guitarist brother Joel, the pair alongside their father were playing major international Jazz Festivals in New Zealand by the mid 80's.

Nathan left for studies in New York in 1991 which immersed him in the worlds of jazz, hip-hop and latin music, all of which were to become a big part in the bands he went on to later form, and influence the records he would make.

In 1993 UK based DJ Gilles Peterson spotted Nathan playing at Auckland legendary Cause Celebre nightclub. 1994 saw the release of the ground breaking “Shift Left” album by Nathan – his first as a solo artist – which blended live rhythms with analog synthesisers, strings, vocals, and turntable scratching. This album won New Zealand Jazz Record of the Year, and was certified Gold, though the final sales figure was double that. It was also released in the UK on the Verve label in 1995.