“MR. BASS MAN” Nick Daniels Reflects on a Storied Musical Career By Kimmie Tubre One of the key instruments for the rhythm and harmony of the genre is the bass. No one knows this better than Nick Daniels III. Playing bass for over 40 years, Nick knows all too well the importance of his role in the funk musical structure. As one of the two bass players for Dumpstaphunk throughout its 14-year climb to fame, Nick has been there, experiencing each success that has come from playing with such a popular band. But his musical roots didn’t originate with Dumpstaphunk or even with playing the bass. It started in his childhood home where there was no shortage of musical talents to admire. “My dad’s mother use to sing in church,” said Nick who also recalled his father and uncles being great singers. “My Uncle Elmo could really sing. One time I heard him singing and I tried to mimic him.” Growing up in the 12th Ward which covers portions of Uptown New Orleans Gaining its name in the ‘60s, funk that loves funk music more than anywhere else, that place would be New Orleans. While the city is famous for jazz, funk has become the dominant genre among local music aficionados. and Broadmoor, Nick’s early exposure to music piqued his fascination with it and eventually led him to his first instrument, the drums. “There was always someone playing an instrument in my neighborhood,” Nick recalled. Several well-known musicians played on the streets of the 12th Ward during that time. Nick remembered hearing John “Raddy” Lowery playing drums near his home. “He would draw crowds of people. I was definitely one of the kids there,” he said. Nearby, in the neighboring 13th Ward, was the musically renowned Neville family, some of whom Nick grew up with and would later has become one of the most popular musical styles around the world. But, if there’s one place , ed the late perform with. Nick’s music teacher, the late Clyde Kerr Jr., also played a huge role in his future musical endeavors. “He was an exceptional jazz trumpet player in the city,” he said. During his earliest years, Nick could find musical inspiration all around him but it was a local band that really inspired him. “In junior high the music 8 | BREAKTHRU MEDIA | breakthrumediamagazine.com MAY / J U N E 2 0 1 7 PHOTOGRAPHY BY BIONCA FLOT SYKES the afififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififificionados.
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