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Sean Mason

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Sean Mason
Birth nameSean Mason
BornCharlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
EducationThe Juilliard School
UNC Greensboro
GenresJazz
Occupations
  • Musician
  • composer
  • record producer
InstrumentPiano
Years active2015–present
Labels
Websiteseanmasonofficial.com

Sean Mason is an American jazz pianist, composer, and record producer.[1] He was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2024 and has been the recipient of a Bessie Award and Bistro Award. In 2023, he released his debut album, The Southern Suite, and in 2024 co-released Chrome Valley with Mahogany L. Browne's and My Ideal with Catherine Russell.[2]

Early life and education

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Sean Mason was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. He began teaching himself how to play piano at age 13, originally influenced by the music of Ray Charles. At age 15, he enrolled in the JazzArts Initiative Camp and attended Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology for high school.[3][4] At age 17, Mason won the inaugural McGlohon Young Jazz Competition, an award that included an opportunity to perform as guest soloist with Delfeayo Marsalis.[3][5]

In 2017, while attending UNC Greensboro, Mason met Branford Marsalis who was giving lessons there. He suggested that Mason apply to Juilliard and Marsalis told his brother (Wynton Marsalis, director of Juilliard Jazz) "Sean can really play" and to "be on the lookout for this kid." Mason was subsequently accepted and enrolled in Juilliard in 2018, moving to New York City for his studies.[5][6][2]

Career

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In 2018, Mason began performing in New York jazz clubs as a sideman.[7] He also led the "Sean Mason Trio," featuring bassist Butler Knowles and drummer Malcolm Charles, performing at jazz venues such as Dizzy's Club and Smoke Jazz Club. In 2019, the trio maintained an "After-Hours" residency at Smalls Jazz Club.[8][9]

In 2020, he played piano in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and in 2021, played piano in the Emmy nominated documentary, Tulsa Burning: The 1921 Race Massacre, as well as the Netflix film Rustin.[10][11] In theater, Mason has been involved in various musical roles in Broadway productions such as Hadestown and Phantom of the Opera and has served as music director for The Soapbox Presents, a Harlem-based performing arts organization.[10][12][13]

In 2022, Mason was included in the inaugural Youngblood's class by NPR's "Jazz Night in America," described by the program as a "sub-series featuring five up-and-coming jazz geniuses who are revolutionizing the genre."[14][15] Also in 2022, he formed the Sean Mason Quintet, featuring Tony Glausi (trumpet), Chris Lewis (tenor saxophone), Felix Moseholm (bass), and Domo Branch (drums).[16] The group was part of "Jazz at Lincoln Center Emerging Artist" initiative.[17]

In 2023, Mason released his debut album, The Southern Suite, as a leader, featuring his quintet. It was released on Blue Engine Records, Jazz at Lincoln Center's in-house label, and received favorable reviews.[18]

In 2024, he co-released Chrome Valley with poet Mahogany L. Browne, a project that blended jazz with spoken word.[19] That same year, he co-released My Ideal with vocalist Catherine Russell on Dot Time Records. The duo album received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. My Ideal also won a 2025 Bistro Award for "Outstanding Recording."

Awards

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Year Nominated work Category Award Result
2025 My Ideal Outstanding Recording[20] Bistro Award Won
2024 My Ideal Best Jazz Vocal Album[1] Grammy Award Nominated
2023 The Jazz Continuum Outstanding Sound Design and Music Composition[21] Bessie Award Won

Discography

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As Leader

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Year Album Artist Label
2023 The Southern Suite Sean Mason Blue Engine Records

As Co-Leader

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Year Album Artist Label
2024 My Ideal Catherine Russell and Sean Mason Dot Time Records
Chrome Valley [19] Mahogany L. Browne and Sean Mason The Soapbox Presents

References

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  1. ^ a b "2024 Grammy nomination". Grammys. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Sean Mason's Southern Spirit of Celebration by Suzzanne Lorge". Charlotte Observer. January 31, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Teen is serious about playing jazz on piano" The Charlotte Observer, Page W2, December 16, 2015
  4. ^ "Jazz pianist Sean Mason is a prodigious talent that was molded by Charlotte's music community by Cameron Lee". Clture. July 16, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Meet Pianist Sean Mason by Sanford Josephson". All About Jazz. October 1, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  6. ^ "Jazz greats mentor Charlotte musician at Juilliard. 'Be on the lookout for this kid' by Lawrence Toppman". Charlotte Observer. January 8, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  7. ^ "Artist Interview: The Music Genius of Sean Mason". Chandler Center. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  8. ^ "Sean Mason Trio "After-Hours"". Smalls Live. January 15, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  9. ^ "Sean Mason Trio "After-Hours"". Smalls Live. March 5, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Sean Mason Quartet". National Jazz Museum in Harlem. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  11. ^ "Sean Mason Quintet". Boise Jazz Society. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  12. ^ "Rising jazz star Sean Mason brings his quartet to Jazz-en-Tête with a rich blend of tradition and innovation that captivates all generations". IMZ. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  13. ^ "APOLLO MUSIC CAFÉ:THE SOAPBOX PRESENTS STOOP SESSIONS". Apollo Music Cafe. May 5, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  14. ^ "SPECIAL SERIES Jazz Night in America's Youngbloods". NPR. September 22, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  15. ^ "National Jazz Museum Band in Harlem and International Jazz Stars Play Tribute to Disney in BRAVO! Concert". CFAC. September 20, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  16. ^ "Sean Mason Quintet". National Jazz Museum in Harlem. July 7, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  17. ^ "Music at MoCA: Sean Mason Quintet - Jazz at Lincoln Center Emerging Artist". MOCA CT. June 11, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  18. ^ "SEAN MASON – THE SOUTHERN SUITE". Paris Move. October 27, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  19. ^ a b "Mahogany L. Browne And Sean Mason Release First Single 'If We Praise (We Are Beautiful)' From Debut Album 'CHROME VALLEY'". BroadwayWorld. February 23, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  20. ^ "Catherine Russell and Sean Mason Outstanding Recording". Bistro Awards. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  21. ^ "The Bessies Announce Recipients of 2023 New York Dance and Performance Awards". Bessies. August 7, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
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