We’re delighted to welcome back Nathaniel Steele – another firm favourite who’s become a regular at Googlies.
Nat plays vibes in the Milt Jackson tradition – two mallets, melodic lines, no fuss. Clark Tracey called him “one of the best vibes players this country has ever produced”, which tells you plenty. He launched his career with a sold-out album release at Ronnie Scott’s in 2017, showcasing his Modern Jazz Quartet tribute project. The album picked up BBC Music Magazine’s Jazz Album of the Month and four-star reviews across the board.
He’s largely self-taught, learning from records and the musicians he grew up watching at Ronnie’s from age 13. Coming from a musical family (his father’s a noted contemporary composer, his brother plays bass), Nat took the scenic route – violin, clarinet, piano, Cuban percussion in Havana, drums – before settling on vibes in his late teens.
Beyond performing, he co-founded BopFest with saxophonist Allison Neale in 2015. What started as a long weekend grew into a week-long celebration of straight-ahead jazz in London.
Expect top-drawer vibes, here at Googlies on February 19.