Sunday, January 14, 2024 · 5 PM & 7:30 PM

SEAN MASON QUARTET

The JAI

A jazz pianist and composer based in New York City, Sean Mason is emerging as one of the premier talents of his generation. He has performed and toured with jazz legends including Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, and Herlin Riley, among many others, and was featured on Branford Marsalis’ film score to the acclaimed Netflix production of August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Hear him and the members of his quartet for the first time in San Diego!

Sean Mason is a jazz pianist and composer based in New York City, quickly emerging as one of the premier talents of his generation. Born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Mason took to the piano at age 13, teaching himself to play by ear the music of his upbringing; gospel, R&B & soul, which quickly evolved into a highly original jazz style. Mason’s unique voice in jazz is steeped in southern culture, giving extended time for groove without needing to fill in the space, while also displaying a range of vocabulary far beyond his years. The Sean Mason Quartet plays Mason’s original music, which has been described as highly melodic, swinging gospel jazz.

When studying at the University of North Carolina–Greensboro, Mason met jazz legend Branford Marsalis, who was immediately taken with the young student and recommended he apply to the Juilliard School in New York. Upon arrival in New York, Mason hit the ground running, quickly securing residencies for his groups at some of the more prestigious jazz clubs such as Smoke Jazz Club and Smalls Jazz Club, as well as sideman work with such luminaries as Wynton Marsalis, Catherine Russell, Herlin Riley, and many more, all while completing his studies at Juilliard. NPR’s influential multimedia show “Jazz Night in America” chose Mason among five musicians for their “Youngbloods” series.

Mason’s debut record, an album of original compositions, will be released in early 2023 on Blue Engine Records, the label of Jazz At Lincoln Center, produced by Branford Marsalis.