David Nathan (music writer)

David Nathan (b. 15 February) is a British-born soul music historian, journalist and singer, based in the U.K. and U.S.

Early life

Born in London, he set up the UK's first Nina Simone Appreciation Society at the age of 16. In 1966, with Dave Godin and Robert Blackmore, he established Soul City, the first record store outside the US specialising in American rhythm and blues and soul music and which also became a record label. It was credited with helping to inspire the popularity of the music in the UK.

Writing career

From 1970, he worked for Contempo Records and as a journalist for Blues & Soul magazine in London. In 1975 he moved to America as the magazine's correspondent and contributing editor, interviewing hundreds of musicians and record producers until the magazine's ownership changed in 1981. After a period working for Werner Erhard and Associates, he began writing biographies and doing freelance journalism, writing for Billboard, USA Today and others including Blues & Soul which he rejoined in the mid-1980s. He also began writing biographical articles for Allmusic, and an estimated 600-700 liner notes for CDs.

In 1990 he set up a media coaching and training service for R&B artists, and published the book, "The Soulful Divas" in 1999. In 2001 he started www.soulmusic.com the top-rated Soul Music website and its e-commerce site, www.soulmusicstore.com. He also became secretary and board member of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation. In 2004 he co-wrote a biography of Nina Simone, "Break Down and Let it All Out".

Recording career

In the 1990s, encouraged by friends including Doris Troy and Bonnie Raitt, he began a parallel singing career, releasing his first CD, Reinvention, in 2003 on his own Nefer Music label. In 2007, he released his second album, Wistful Elegance, with jazz/R&B group Pharaoh's Dream.