Harvey Mason

American drummer (born 1947) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Harvey William Mason (born February 22, 1947)[2] is an American jazz drummer, record producer, and member of the band Fourplay. He was the original drummer for Herbie Hancock's band The Headhunters.

Born
Harvey William Mason

(1947-02-22) February 22, 1947 (age 79)
Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
GenresJazz,[1] jazz fusion, smooth jazz, jazz funk, jazz rock, crossover jazz
OccupationsMusician, producer, composer
InstrumentsDrums, percussion
Quick facts Background information, Born ...
Harvey Mason
Mason in 2004
Mason in 2004
Background information
Born
Harvey William Mason

(1947-02-22) February 22, 1947 (age 79)
Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
GenresJazz,[1] jazz fusion, smooth jazz, jazz funk, jazz rock, crossover jazz
OccupationsMusician, producer, composer
InstrumentsDrums, percussion
Years active1970–present
LabelsEleni, Atlantic, Concord
Websiteharveymason.net
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Mason performing

Life and career

Mason was born and grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States,[2] and attended Atlantic City High School.[3] He began playing drums at the age of four with the support of his father, a drummer in the army band.[4]

He was the original drummer for The Headhunters, the jazz fusion band led by Herbie Hancock. After leaving Headhunters in the early 1970s, Mason co-founded the jazz quartet Fourplay.[5] They are on an indefinite hiatus as of 2017. Mason has played as a sideman with Bill Withers, George Benson, and Lee Ritenour.

Mason, who attended Berklee for a year and a half in the 1960s, eventually transferred to New England Conservatory where he studied with Vic Firth. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate at Berklee's 2015 Commencement Ceremony for his achievement and influence in music and enduring contributions to American and international culture.[6]

Equipment

Mason endorses Canopus drums,[7] Murat Diril cymbals,[8] Remo drumheads, DW pedals, and Vic Firth drumsticks.[9] Mason has his own Vic Firth Harvey Mason signature drumstick[9] and Vic Firth Harvey Mason Chameleon signature drumstick.[9]

Mason has cited Art Taylor, Art Blakey, Roy Haynes, Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, Pistol Allen, Jabo Starks, Tony Williams, Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd, Jimmy Cobb, Joe Chambers, and Billy Higgins as influences.[10]

Influences

Discography

As leader

  • Marching in the Street (Eleni, 1976)
  • Earth Mover (Eleni, 1977)
  • Funk in a Mason Jar (Eleni, 1977)
  • Groovin' You (Eleni, 1979)
  • M.V.P (Eleni, 1981)
  • Stone Mason (Atlantic,1982)
  • Ratamacue (Atlantic,1996)
  • Trios (Videoarts Music, 2003)
  • With All My Heart (Videoarts Music, 2003)
  • Changing Partners (Videoarts Music, 2006)
  • Chameleon (Concord, 2014)

As a member

The Headhunters

Fourplay

As sideman

With George Benson

With The Brothers Johnson

With Donald Byrd

With Ron Carter

With Casiopea

  • 4x4 (Alfa, 1982)
  • Light and Shadows (Pony Canyon, 1997)

With DeBarge

With Will Downing

With Herbie Hancock

With Gene Harris

With Bobbi Humphrey

With Bob James

  • Three (CTI, 1976) – rec. 1975-1976
  • One on One (Tappan Zee, 1979)
  • In Hi-Fi (Audio Fidelity, 2003)
  • Angels of Shanghai (Universal, 2006) – rec. 2004-2005

With Carole King

With Barry Manilow

With Sérgio Mendes

With Minnie Riperton

With Lee Ritenour

With Patrice Rushen

With Moacir Santos

With Diane Schuur

With Stanley Turrentine

With Dionne Warwick

With Grover Washington Jr.

With Bill Withers

With others

Charted singles

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Peak chart positions Album
Hot R&B
Hip-Hop
Songs
[11]		 Dance
Club
Songs
[12]		 Smooth Jazz
Airplay
[13]
1976 "Marching in the Street" 93 — N/a Marching in the Street
1978 "Till You Take My Love" 57 — N/a Funk in a Mason Jar
1979 "Groovin' You" 58 32 N/a Groovin' You
1981 "We Can Start Tonight" 55 94 N/a M.V.P.
2014 "If I Ever Lose This Heaven" (featuring Chris Turner) — — 19 Chameleon
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.
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References

External links

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