Sean Mason Quartet

On his debut album ‘The Southern Suite’ (Blue Engine Records), American jazz pianist and composer Sean Mason gives a contemporary twist to the music he grew up with in Charlotte, North Carolina. He mixes the gospel of the church with the rawness of the street and the groove of the blues with the melody of Broadway. The result is infectious and danceable, fresh ánd steeped in tradition. “Mason’s music is… exceptionally groovy,” is how the American NPR Music summarizes it.

On the advice of saxophonist Branford Marsalis, who acted as producer of ‘The Southern Suite’, Mason moved from Charlotte to New York. In the meantime, he plays in the best jazz clubs in the city, and his international breakthrough is very close.

In addition to working as a sideman on Branford Marsalis’ soundtrack for the film ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ (2020) and vibraphonist Joel Ross’ ‘The Parable of the Poet’ (2022), Mason has also released duo albums with poet Mahogany L. Browne and singer Catherine Russell.

Earlier this year, Mason and his quartet were in Belgium for the first time for a convincing concert at De Singer in Rijkevorsel. He met most of his band members at The Juilliard School in New York, where he studied. Saxophonist Chris Lewis and percussionist Domo Branch are considered enormous talents, and are both regular substitutes with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. The originally Danish double bassist Felix Moseholm is equally promising, and is a member of the band of singer Samara Joy, among others.