CLIFF HINES

Cliff was born Clifford Samuel-Hine in St. Augustine, Fl in 1989. From the early years of his life he was interested in music, and over the years has studied numerous instruments, including violin, piano, and drums before finally settling on guitar at age 12. His music career also started early when he landed weekly gigs both at the Funky Butt and the Freret Cafe in 8th grade. In his high school career, he continued his jazz training at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA). NOCCA exposed him to both the New Orleans jazz scene, and instruction from New Orleans jazz greats such as Alvin Batiste, Michael Pellera, Brice Winston, Davey Mooney, Adonis Rose, and Chris Severin. His experience at NOCCA provided him strong training in all fields of jazz including specific training in traditional, bebop, big band, and modern. With more knowledge came more gigging opportunities, playing frequently with his peers at venues such as Tipitina’s, Snug Harbor, The Blue Nile, The Hi Ho Lounge, Sweet Lorraine’s, The Dragon’s Den, Café Brasil (now Lazziza’s), the French Market, WWOZ, the New Orleans Jazz Festival, and the Marciac Jazz Festival. He also became a strong composer, providing tunes and arrangements for bands as well as playing shows under his own name comprised mainly of original songs. He is now the adjunct guitar teacher at NOCCA while attending the University of New Orleans for jazz studies, receiving private lessons from Steve Masakowski, Brian Seeger, John Rankin, and Hank Mackie. Notable acts he has played with include: Ed Petersen’s “The Test”, Jesse McBride and “The Next Generation”, Steve Masakowski’s Guitar Ensemble, Simon Lott, Bill Summers, Donald Harrison, Rex Gregory, The Bridge Trio, The Black Notes/ Floopy Head, and Venus Chain. He performs jazz sets under his own name in addition to being the bandleader of the avant-rock band Zosimus.