Harvey Mason


Harvey William Mason 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.

Life and career

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.

Equipment

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.

Discography

As leader

  • Marching in the Street
  • Earth Mover
  • Funk in a Mason Jar
  • Groovin' You
  • M.V.P
  • Stone Mason
  • Ratamacue
  • Trios
  • With All My Heart
  • Changing Partners
  • ''Chameleon''

    As a member

The Headhunters
  • Survival of the Fittest
Fourplay
  • Fourplay
  • Between the Sheets
  • Elixir
  • The Best of Fourplay
  • 4
  • Snowbound
  • Yes, Please!
  • Heartfelt
  • Journey
  • X
  • Energy
  • Let's Touch the Sky
  • Esprit de Four
  • ''Silver''

    As sideman

With George Benson
  • Breezin
  • In Flight
  • Weekend in L.A.
  • Collaboration with Earl Klugh
  • Guitar Man
With The Brothers Johnson
With Donald Byrd
  • Street Lady
  • Stepping into Tomorrow – rec. 1974
  • Places and Spaces
  • Caricatures
With Ron Carter
  • Pastels
  • When Skies Are Grey...
With Casiopea
  • 4x4
  • Light and Shadows
With DeBarge
  • The DeBarges
  • In a Special Way
With Will Downing
  • Love's the Place to Be
  • Moods
  • Invitation Only
With Herbie Hancock
  • Head Hunters
  • Man-Child – rec. 1974-1975
  • Sunlight
  • Mr. Hands
  • Mr. Funk – compilation rec. 1972-1988
With Gene Harris
  • In a Special Way
  • Tone Tantrum
With Bobbi Humphrey
  • Blacks and Blues
  • Satin Doll
  • Fancy Dancer
With Bob James
  • Three – rec. 1975-1976
  • One on One
  • In Hi-Fi
  • Angels of Shanghai – rec. 2004-2005
With Carole King
  • Rhymes & Reasons
  • Fantasy
With Sérgio Mendes
  • Sergio Mendes
  • Homecooking
With Minnie Riperton
With Lee Ritenour
  • Gentle Thoughts
  • Captain Fingers
  • Sugar Loaf Express
  • Earth Run
  • Portrait
  • Stolen Moments
  • Wes Bound – rec. 1992
  • Overtime – rec. 2004
  • Six String Theory
With Patrice Rushen
  • Before the Dawn
  • Now – rec. 1983-1984
With Moacir Santos
  • Saudade
  • Carnival of the Spirits
With Diane Schuur
With Stanley Turrentine
With Dionne Warwick
  • Dionne Warwick Sings Cole Porter
  • Friends Can Be Lovers
With Grover Washington Jr.
With Bill Withers
  • Making Music
  • Bout Love
With others