ERIC DAVID MASON

Eric David Mason was born in Faribanks, Alaska and grew up in a musical family. His grandfather was a composer and arranger, his grandmother an accomplished pianist, and his mother a multi-instrumentalist. His earliest musical experiences included beating on pots and pans with wooden spoons while his grandmother played ragtime piano tunes, as well as subjecting his family to constant finger tapping, basement drumming barrages, and strange garage bands with bad intonation! He remained active in music throughout high school, playing in the symphonic, marching, jazz, and state honor bands while taking lessons at the University of Kansas. He is a graduate of the Jamaica School of Music and the University of North Florida American Music programs as well as Florida International University's Physical Therapy program. He has studied a variety of percussion and drumming styles including classical, latin, jazz, afro-caribbean, marching, fusion, and pop. While in Jamaica, he performed with a variety of Reggae and Jazz artists including Columbia recording artists Toots and the Maytals, earning him the distinction of being one of the only Eskimo reggae drummers on the planet! As a member of the UNF 1:30 Big Band under the direction of Rich Matteson, he performed at numerous jazz festivals and venues including the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, the Suncoast Jazz Festival, the Midwest Music Educators Conference, the IAJE, the Blackstone Theatre, Epcot Center, and many others. Eric was an original member of the River City Rhythm Kings Dixieland Band, winners of the 1988 Southern Comfort Dixieland Competition. Former "Tonight Show" drummer and contest judge, Ed Shaughnessy, described Eric's playing as "good solid drums!" Eric toured with the Rhythm Kings throughout the East Coast and Central/South America including performances such as the Today Show with Willard Scott, the Kentucky Derby Winner's Circle, "Fantastico - Costa Rica," and many others. However, he never did acquire a taste for Southern Comfort! He was also a member of the UNF Trombone Ensemble, winners of the 1989 Kai Winding International Trombone Association competition and the UNF "Jazz Trombones," finalists in the 1989 Cognac Hennessy Jazz Search in L.A. That group was featured on VH-1's New Visions Jazz Show with Ben Sidran and Doc Severinson. No, he didn't develop a taste for cognac either! As a big band drummer and cruise ship musician, Eric has backed many artists including Ross Thompkins, Clarke Terry, Arturo Sandoval, Ira Sullivan, Rufus Reid, Nat Adderly, James Moody, Sid Ceasar, Rita Moreno, Marcus Roberts, Bunky Green, and more. In other settings, he has backed The Drifters, Percy Sledge, The Dukes of Dixieland, Dennis Yost and the Classics IV. As a reggae drummer, he has played countless reggae festivals and has opened for international acts ranging from Third World to Ziggy Marley. He has appeared on National Public Television, "Good Morning America", and the televised Jacksonville Jasper Awards. Eric currently owns Rhythmotion Enterprises, the parent company of Mason Music and Vital Motion Rehabilitation & Wellness, and splits his time between physical therapy and music. He plays with Windjammer (World Beat), the Swamp Dog Jazz Band (Dixieland), and Segue (Contemporary Jazz). Recent performances include the Jacksonville Jazz Festival '98•'99•'00, Sunfest 1999, Sacramento Jazz Jubilee 1999-2000, Bix Beiderbecke Festival 2000, and Suncoast Dixie Classic 2000, Mammoth Lakes Jazz Festival 2001, Elkhart Jazz Festival 2001. He has appeared on or produced over 25 CD projects of styles ranging from jazz and funk to Afro-Caribbean. And, he still beats on pots and pans once in awhile for old time's sake!