Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu

Speak No Evil Jazz blog

Capital Public Radio's discussion of an art form born in America and celebrated worldwide.

subscribe

 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

Catching Up With Renown Jazz Percussionist Harvey Mason

  •  Gary G. Vercelli 
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Courtesy Of The Artist
 

Courtesy Of The Artist

Harvey Mason is one of the most recorded and sought after percussionists in history. A first call studio musician, Mason has recorded with many of the greats, including Gerry Mulligan, Freddie Hubbard, Donald Byrd, Quincy Jones, and George Benson. His clean rhythmic style has made him valuable as a sideman on records with Herbie Hancock, Grover Washington, Jr., Bobby Hutcherson, Lee Ritenour, and many more.

For 25 years Harvey’s been the heartbeat of Fourplay, a fusion band he founded with pianist Bob James. Mason has also recorded eleven albums as a leader. On his latest recording, Chameleon, Harvey revisits and updates some classic tunes he first helped popularize in 70’s. Harvey became known as “The Chameleon” because he could easily fit into any musical assignment.

“Progress in music is not always a straight line,” Harvey said in a recent interview with CapRadio Music. “Sometimes I take an assignment and it ends up leading to a very surprising delightful destination, completely removed from the original project.”

Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1947, Mason attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music for a year, then received his degree in music education from the New England Conservatory. Before he could march in the graduation exercise, he hit the road with legendary pianist Erroll Garner in 1970. That led to thirteen months with George Shearing, bringing Harvey to the west coast. Soon the television and film work assignments started developing, but Harvey never abandoned his love for jazz.

In our interview, Harvey discusses how inspiring it was to work with a whole new generation of jazz musicians, including Christian Scott, Ben Williams, Matthew Stevens, and Ben Wendel . He also reflects on reuniting with Bill Summer and Paul Jackson, reworking some of the classic compositions he first trail blazed in the 70’s.

 Harvey Masoninterviews

Gary G. Vercelli

Jazz Music Director

Jazz Music Director Gary Vercelli produces CapRadio's terrestrial and online jazz programming, including JazzStream.org. He also hosts Excellence In Jazz and Acid Jazz and writes reviews of new jazz releases.  Read Full Bio 

 Email Gary G. Vercelli

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Jazz Posts

AP Photo/Ton Pouw

Celebrating the many faces of Miles Davis

May 26, 2022

More From CapRadio Music

Lawrence Sumulong/Courtesy of Sony Music

Composer John Williams and cellist Yo-Yo Ma bring together 'A Gathering of Friends'

May 24, 2022
We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

More From CapRadio Music

Lawrence Sumulong/Courtesy of Sony Music

Composer John Williams and cellist Yo-Yo Ma bring together 'A Gathering of Friends'

May 24, 2022

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.