Northampton Jazz Festival Presents Jazz Pianist, Sean Mason on March 12. New collaboration with area venues allows more jazz performances throughout the year
The Northampton Jazz Festival will present visiting jazz pianist Sean Mason in a one-night-only concert at The Drake in Amherst on Wednesday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. entitled, “Sean Mason Quartet.”
New this year, the Northampton Jazz Festival aims to present one-night-only performances of jazz artists that are touring in the region. By collaborating with professional concert venues, the jazz festival is able to bring more jazz musicians to the area year-round.
“Throughout the year, our Jazz Fest producers are continuously in touch with artists who want to perform in Western Mass.,” said Ruth Griggs, President of the Northampton Jazz Festival. “We are excited by the prospect of giving touring artists an opportunity to perform in the greater Northampton area at times other than just Jazz Fest weekend by partnering with venues such as The Drake, and others.”
Mason is a rising jazz pianist and composer whose musical vocabulary is far beyond his years. Born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, he took to the piano at age 13, teaching himself by ear to play the styles of music he was most attracted to. His approach quickly evolved into a highly original language.
Upon his arrival in New York City in 2018, Mason quickly secured performances and residencies at some of New York’s most prestigious jazz clubs, all while attending The Juilliard School. He is a generational talent whose unique voice in jazz is steeped in the sound of the South, allowing an extended time for groove while also displaying his considerable talent as a composer.
The Sean Mason Quartet, which will be performing at The Drake on March 12, is a band assembled to play Mason’s original music, and has been described as highly melodic and infectious.
Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. For more information and tickets visit northamptonjazzfest.org/sean-mason-quartet.
The 2025 Northampton Jazz Festival will be on Friday, Sept. 26 and Saturday, Sept. 27. Concerts will be staged at restaurants, breweries and bars on Friday night for the Jazz Strut, and at churches, concert halls and Pulaski Park on Saturday, Jazz Fest Day. All performances are free and open to the general public with the headliner concert at the Academy of Music on Saturday, Sept. 27th at 7:30 p.m. the only ticketed performance. The musician lineup will be announced in the spring. As in years past, the festival will also host a Jazz Film Night in mid June and Jazz Arts Night Out on Sept.12 in partnership with the Downtown Northampton Association. Sponsorships of the 2025 festival are now being solicited. For more information or to make a donation visit northamptonjazzfest.org. For more information, visit northamptonjazzfest.orgor facebook.com/northamptonjazzfest, or email info@northamptonjazzfest.org.
