Nathaniel J. Phipps

NATHANIEL J. PHIPPS

DECEMBER 26, 1931 - JANUARY 14, 2022

Devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, and grandfather; revered teacher; caring neighbor; and
consummate musician Nathaniel (Nat) Phipps peacefully passed from this life to his heavenly reward on
January 14, 2022, after a long and hard-fought illness, surrounded by his loving family at his home.

The youngest of nine children, Phipps was born on December 26, 1931, in Newark, New Jersey, into a
joyful, musical family originally from St. Kitts. Growing up listening to the calypso music favored by
family members, he began playing jazz piano as a child, often with twin brother and baritone saxophonist
Billy Phipps (1931-2011). Although he excelled in football and basketball as well as academics, Phipps
found his undeniable calling in music – a gift that was to enrich the lives of many for decades to come.

In the 1950s, Nat and Billy formed a band that performed regularly on the Newark and New York jazz
circuit, and counted among its members Wayne Shorter, Grachan Moncur, Chris White, Charlie Mason,
Harold Phipps, and Robert Thomas. Nat later went on to form a new band, The Mega Tones, in 1960, He
was such an integral part of the Newark music scene that famed African-American author Amiri Baraka
named Phipps in no fewer than four of his books.
The Phipps twins joined the U.S. Army together in 1952, playing as cadre men for the 9th Division band
in Fort Dix, N.J. When Nat returned to civilian life, encouraged by Shorter, he studied classical piano
with Modena Scovill at New York University. He earned a B.A. and an M.A. in music education,
squeezing gigs into every free minute between studying and student teaching. His band opened for such
renowned performers as Lionel Hampton, Nat King Cole, and Jimmie Scott, and won the amateur
competition at Harlem's Apollo Theater, three weeks in a row.

In 1961, Phipps began teaching at-risk youth whom other teachers had given up as hopeless, first at the
Livingston School for Girls in the Village. Compassionate, patient, and dedicated to a fault, Phipps found
ingenious ways to engage and motivate his young students with minimal resources – for instance,
founding the school's first piano program using old instruments discarded by other schools. Always an
involved community member, he attended the legendary March on Washington in 1963, a firsthand
witness to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech.

In the 1970s, at Brooklyn's Sterling High School for behaviorally challenged teenaged boys, Phipps
established the Sterling Average Teenage Band, which quickly became so successful that the group was
invited to perform at the Kennedy Center and on NBC's "Today" show. Phipps was named Teacher of the
Year by the New York State Education Department in 1976, joined the agency three years later, and
became bureau chief in 1989. It was then that he moved his young family from Newark to the Capital
District: wife Berta and children Natalie, Benita, Chiquita, and Christopher.

After his retirement, Phipps taught music locally – first at State University of New York Albany and
Skidmore College, and later at Schenectady County Community College – through 2016. Until declining
health and the Covid-19 pandemic curtailed his activities, he continued playing gigs as the Nat Phipps
Trio, with bassist Pete Toigo and drummer Pete Sweeney. At Jazz Vespers services on Sunday evenings
at Schenectady's First Reformed Church, the Nat Phipps Trio (with Toigo on bass and Tom D'Andrea on
drums) would delight fellow parishioners and guest visitors with their swinging renditions of classic jazz
tunes and hymns. When Nat wasn't playing, he could be found helping Berta with creating awareness of
sickle-cell anemia, mentoring musician grandson Christopher (C.J.) and many other musicians, tinkering
with projects in the garage, lending a helping hand to his neighbors, or spending precious quiet time with
his adored daughters and their families.

Admired by listeners young and old, beloved by generations of students, and deeply mourned by family
and friends, Nat Phipps touched countless lives with his unflagging enthusiasm, compassionate guidance,
and limitless talent. He is predeceased by his siblings: twin William Phipps, Pearline Phipps, Ilene Baker,
Margaret Caines, Williman Caines, and James Caines. He is survived by wife Berta; children Natalie
Phipps, Benita Phipps, Chiquita D'Arbeau, and Christopher Rowe; grandchildren Nathaniel Milton,
Christopher (CJ) Rowe, Salvatore Iovinella, Joshua Thomas, Shamyr McCain, and Taheim McCain;
great-grandchildren Bambina (Breezy) Iovinella and Santana Thomas; and brother George Phipps and
sister-in-law Vivian – all of whom know, with tears and joy in equal measure, that Nat is practicing hard,
thoughtfully preparing swinging setlists for Saint Peter and the many, many angels waiting to hear him
play.

The family would like to thank Dr. Kip Arnold, the community Hospice program, Dr. Jacob and staff at
Upstate Hematology Oncology in Niskayuna, NY.

A Memorial Service for Nathaniel J. Phipps will be held live and streamed on February 12, 2022 at 2:00
P.M. at the First Reformed Church, 8 North Church Street, Schenectady, NY 12305. The church can fit
160 people with social distancing.

The service and streaming information can be accessed by clicking the
events tab found on the top banner of the homepage. https://www.frcschenectady.church/

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to: Jazz Vespers at First Reformed Church,
8 N Church Street, Schenectady, NY 12305.