Background and career
Harvey William Mason (born February 22, 1947) 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.
Mason was born and grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States, and attended Atlantic City High School. He began playing drums at the age of four with the support of his father, a drummer in the army band. 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. 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.
Mason endorses Canopus drums, Murat Diril cymbals, Remo drumheads, DW pedals, and Vic Firth drumsticks. Mason has his own Vic Firth Harvey Mason signature drumstick and Vic Firth Harvey Mason Chameleon signature drumstick.
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.
Marching in the Street (Arista Records, 1976) Earth Mover (Arista, 1977) Funk in a Mason Jar (Arista, 1977) Groovin' You (Arista, 1979) M.V.P (Arista, 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)
Survival of the Fittest (Eleni, 1975) With Fourplay
