Nat Reeves

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Nat Reeves (born 1955 in Lynchburg, Virginia is an American musician. He currently resides in Hartford, Connecticut and teaches at the University of Hartford. He also performs internationally with a number of Jazz artists. He is mostly influenced by bassists Sam Jones, Paul Chambers and Ron Carter.

1 History
2 Band Leaders
3 Performances
4 External links

[edit] History

Nat Reeves was first introduced to electric bass by his grandfather, Russell Jackson, at the age of 16. By 24 he had ascended the music scene with the help of other Virginia artists to play in small jazz clubs and at jam sessions in New York City.

In 1982, at the age of 27 he had his first performance outside the United States. He traveled to Japan with Sonny Stitt on Sitt’s last tour and at the same time Reeves moved to Hartford, Connecticut to start working with Jackie McLean who has been the most important musical influence in his life.

He began teaching at the University of Hartford and the Artists Collective, an arts organization which his wife, Dollie, had founded in Hartford. While in Hartford Reeves found a calling in teaching and developed musical skills through traveling around the world performing and recording with Jackie Mclean among other jazz legends.

In 1994, Reeves started touring and recording with Kenny Garrett. They first met in the late 1970s in New York City. Performing with Garrett allowed Reeves to further expand his soloing skills and taught him the importance of diverse musical collaborations in an ever-changing setting of musicians and venues.

Out of a mutually respectful musical relationship, there developed a friendship that exists today. In 2001 Reeves decided to focus full-time on his teaching career at Hartt School. By this time, the University of Hartford had renamed the African American Music Studies Program to the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz. He continued to perform, but not as intensely as in the past twenty years. And he continued his personal and professional relationship with mentor Jackie McLean.

Currently Reeves is committed to perpetuating Jackie McLean’s legacy at Hartt School, as well as continuing his career performing.

[edit] Band Leaders

Reeves has worked with a number of great band leaders, including Jackie McLean, alto saxophone; Kenny Garrett (alto and soprano saxophones), Pharoah Sanders (tenor saxophone), Rene McLean (alto and tenor saxophones, flute), Sonny Stitt (piano), Harold Mabern (piano), Steve Davis (trombone), Eric Alexander (tenor saxophone), David Hazeltine (piano), Mike Clark (drummer), Houston Person (tenor saxophone), Larry Willis (piano), Mark Templeton (piano), Pat Metheny (guitar), Mike LeDonne (piano), John Scofield (guitar), Jack Wilson (piano), Curtis Fuller (trombone), Eddie Henderson (trumpet), Joe Farnsworth (drums), Randy Johnston (guitar), Javon Jackson (tenor saxophone), and Benny Green (piano).