Nathan Heathman

musician Nathan Heathman. He is known in musicians' circles as a singing sensation
and piano virtuoso who has played with the late Phyllis Hyman, Rachelle Farrell,
Norman Connors, Jennifer Holliday, Miki Howard, Angela Bofill and Jean Carne.
He is also known as the man who comically plays the requests of hundreds of nearly
intoxicated tourists who stumble upon the piano bar of a swanky Washington DC
hotel, steps away from the White House, where Heathman entertains weekly.
However it has not always been easy. "I found the piano because in second grade,
we couldn't afford to rent the violin", he says. At that time, rental was a hefty $4.00
a week. By third grade, Heathman knew he loved music after going on a class field trip
to see "The Sound Of Music", then effortlessly memorizing the leads to every song.
By age 13, Heathman was playing alto clarinet, that is until he heard Dionne
Warwick's "A House Is Not A Home", and fell in love with the sexy saxophone
introduction. It was immediately on to saxophone. Before eleventh grade, he had
moved up to first chair saxophone, a highly coveted position in high school bands.
Everything seemed to be musical bliss, until he stumbled upon a piano practice
room and started an intimate relationship with the piano that is still going strong.
He taught himself to read and play by ear. He would often play along with his music
collection, trying as best he could to match what he heard.
This play-along fascination would lead him to an opportunity he never could have
imagined. Being a fan of Philadelphia International Records/Gamble & Huff and similar
quality music of the 70's era (a period Heathman refers to as the 'greatest time in music-
arrangment wise'), he attended a Jean Carne concert at an intimate Washington DC
nightclub with some friends. The concert was heavenly,wtih just one exception,she
didn't sing "his" song, a favorite called "When I Find You Love." Most would simply
leave the concert slightly disappointed,but for Heathman,not the case. It became a case
of passion and persistence.The passion for music and the persistence of this concert
patron who told Ms. Carne "I know it!" when she responded to his request by saying,
"No one in my band knows that song!"
As you can imagine, she invited him to the piano stand. He played, she sang, and a
musical friendship was born. Heathman soon became and continues to serve as Jean
Carne's musical director.
Between then and now, he founded the band, "Moment's Notice", a band comprised of
handpicked musicians who regularly assist him in backing national artists throughout
the world. He stared as "Purlie Victorious", the lead role in the off-Broadway production
of "Purlie" and wore the hat of musical director for Marymount University's production
of "Little Shop Of Horrors." He has entertained at "open mike" nights at clubs and piano
bars all over the east coast-playing a repertoire from smooth jazz to requested show tunes.
He has traveled extensively with his gift throughout Europe, Canada, Japan and the Caribbean.
Nathan has also worked with Norman Connors, touring as his music director and appearing
as guest vocalist on his most recent album.
"Right Here, Right Now," his solo debut CD on Expansion Records, is poised to place
him next to his peers like Will Downing, Luther Vandross and Peabo Bryson.