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.
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.
About that time Nat (Nathaniel Bassey), 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
ORCHESTRA. 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
organizations 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.
As he developed an intimate fellowship with the Holy
Spirit, He then realized 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 – Munath-someone’s knocking
at the doorsic 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 Bassey, 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 Bassey’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.
Album by Nathaniel Bassey includes God of love, The
Son of God, This God is too good.
