You will have only begun to scratch the surface by identifying the masterfu… Read Full Bio ↴You will have only begun to scratch the surface by identifying the masterful Harvey Mason as just a drummer. Yes, his precision time keeping and versatility have placed him among THE most in-demand and most recorded session drummers of all-time. Yes, his tumbling tom-tom fills and the lickity slick synchronization between his hi-hat cymbals, snare and bass drums are instantly recognizable signatures. Yes, heβs been hired by everyone from Barbra Streisand to James Brown to Mary J to Herbie Hancock to Jennifer Hudson to Frank Sinatra to John Legend to the London Symphony Orchestra. Yes, he has won four 1st place plaques from Modern Drummer magazineβs annual studio poll and has been the first call drummer for the Academy Awards ceremonies on 25 occasions.
Heβs composed and written songs recorded by artists ranging from Nancy Wilson , Mary J. Blige, Notorius Big and T.I.
As a producer, he introduced the world to the Hawaii-based Christian jazz septet Seawind, which inadvertently brought one of the most in-demand horn arrangers (Jerry Hey) and horn sections (the Seawind horns) to Los Angeles and promptly introduced them to Quincy Jones as the tightest and most creative horn section heβd ever heard. (Quincy obviously agreed) He also produced the debut album by Midnight Star (The Beginning), inaugurating what would become one of the β80s most influential techno-funk groups, Lee Ritenourβs largest selling hit, βIs it Youβ and Dionne Warwick (Fragile).
Harvey is a founding member of the contemporary jazz βsuper groupβΖOURPLAY , where he flexes his writing, playing, arranging and production skills with partners Bob James, Nathan East and Chuck Loeb (the latter of whom replaced Larry Carlton who had replaced original member Lee Ritenour). ΖOURPLAYβs debut album sat atop Billboardβs Contemporary Jazz chart for thirty-four weeks, leading to a platinum album, three subsequent gold discs, a Soul Train Music Award and 10 Grammy nominations, to date.
The roots of Harvey Masonβs rhythm are as ingrained as DNA. Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey on February 22, 1947, he reveled in the rhythms of life as they manifested themselves all around him. He began taking formal drum lessons at age 7, playing in school bands and finally buying his first drum set at the age of 16. Harvey continued his musical education first at the Berklee School of Music, then on full scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music, studying performance, composing, arranging, percussion and mallets. He received immeasurable preparation for orchestral work from the legendary Vic Firth, tympanist with the Boston Symphony. During his time in Boston, he also put in overtime at Triple A Studios recording everything from jingles to religious albums, unpredictable and diversified situations that custom molded him for the career of a top-flight session musician. Before he knew it, Harvey Mason was working as many as three studio sessions a day.
Harvey swiftly became a force to be reckoned with in the world of percussion and drums. From simple figures on a marimba that contributed infinitely to the appeal of The Sylversβ βFools Paradiseβ and βMisdemeanor,β Earth Wind and Fireβs βThatβs The Way of The Worldβ and some of the most incredibly sensitive playing ever heard on radio backing the late Minnie Riperton on βMemory Laneβ and βHere We Go,β to an intricate snare drum-only part on Chick Coreaβs βTweedle Deeβ (from his acclaimed concept album, The Mad Hatter), Harvey honed a knack for doing more than just nailing a written part. He added that βMase Magicβ that lifted a piece of music from ordinary to extraordinary.
Harvey Mason's son Harvey Mason Jr. formed the Underdogs production team with Damon Thomas and has produced tracks for artists including Fantasia Barrino, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey and Luther Vandross.
Heβs composed and written songs recorded by artists ranging from Nancy Wilson , Mary J. Blige, Notorius Big and T.I.
As a producer, he introduced the world to the Hawaii-based Christian jazz septet Seawind, which inadvertently brought one of the most in-demand horn arrangers (Jerry Hey) and horn sections (the Seawind horns) to Los Angeles and promptly introduced them to Quincy Jones as the tightest and most creative horn section heβd ever heard. (Quincy obviously agreed) He also produced the debut album by Midnight Star (The Beginning), inaugurating what would become one of the β80s most influential techno-funk groups, Lee Ritenourβs largest selling hit, βIs it Youβ and Dionne Warwick (Fragile).
Harvey is a founding member of the contemporary jazz βsuper groupβΖOURPLAY , where he flexes his writing, playing, arranging and production skills with partners Bob James, Nathan East and Chuck Loeb (the latter of whom replaced Larry Carlton who had replaced original member Lee Ritenour). ΖOURPLAYβs debut album sat atop Billboardβs Contemporary Jazz chart for thirty-four weeks, leading to a platinum album, three subsequent gold discs, a Soul Train Music Award and 10 Grammy nominations, to date.
The roots of Harvey Masonβs rhythm are as ingrained as DNA. Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey on February 22, 1947, he reveled in the rhythms of life as they manifested themselves all around him. He began taking formal drum lessons at age 7, playing in school bands and finally buying his first drum set at the age of 16. Harvey continued his musical education first at the Berklee School of Music, then on full scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music, studying performance, composing, arranging, percussion and mallets. He received immeasurable preparation for orchestral work from the legendary Vic Firth, tympanist with the Boston Symphony. During his time in Boston, he also put in overtime at Triple A Studios recording everything from jingles to religious albums, unpredictable and diversified situations that custom molded him for the career of a top-flight session musician. Before he knew it, Harvey Mason was working as many as three studio sessions a day.
Harvey swiftly became a force to be reckoned with in the world of percussion and drums. From simple figures on a marimba that contributed infinitely to the appeal of The Sylversβ βFools Paradiseβ and βMisdemeanor,β Earth Wind and Fireβs βThatβs The Way of The Worldβ and some of the most incredibly sensitive playing ever heard on radio backing the late Minnie Riperton on βMemory Laneβ and βHere We Go,β to an intricate snare drum-only part on Chick Coreaβs βTweedle Deeβ (from his acclaimed concept album, The Mad Hatter), Harvey honed a knack for doing more than just nailing a written part. He added that βMase Magicβ that lifted a piece of music from ordinary to extraordinary.
Harvey Mason's son Harvey Mason Jr. formed the Underdogs production team with Damon Thomas and has produced tracks for artists including Fantasia Barrino, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey and Luther Vandross.
Mean Old Man
Harvey Mason Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Mean Old Man' by these artists:
J. Walter Hawkes The old man he catches The fish in the morning He…
James Taylor (James Taylor) On my own How could I have known?…
Jerry Lee Lewis If I look like a mean old man that's what…
Jerry Lee Lewis feat. Ronnie Wood If I look like a mean old man that's what…
Joan Armatrading You hear me cry out, won't you save me You smile…
Kris Kristofferson If I look like a mean old man that's what…
Kris Kristofferson And The Borderlords If I look like a mean old man that's what…
Rick Moranis I ain't from nowhere near Kentucky. No right to sing them…
Ron Wood If I look like a mean old man that's what…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Harvey Mason:
Funk In A Mason Jar Don't tell me I'm drunk When I'm just being honest Well yeah…
Space Cadets InventΓ© una danza nueva Que puede hacerte electrizar Quien …
What's Going On Mother, mother There's too many of you crying Brother, broth…
What's Going on ? Mother, mother There's too many of you crying Brother, bro…
What's Going On? Mother, mother There's too many of you crying Brother, broth…
Without A Song Without a song the day would never end Without a song…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@basilrug
Harvey has got a couple of things in his playing that almost none of the others have... subtlety and space. He's not afraid to let the rhythms BREATHE...unlike most if the rest who pile on the notes, filling up all the space. A master rhythm craftsman and somebody we should all pay attention to and learn from!
@nardinyouryard237
Exactly
@slickingdom
Interesting fact: The Herbie Hancock album, "Head Hunters" (1973) was the biggest selling βcontemporaryβ Jazz album of all time, until George Benson released "Breezin" (1976). The common denominator of both of these records is Harvey Mason, Sr. #provenhitmaker
@gringochucha
And don't forget Donald Byrd's "Black Byrd" (1973), also a big hit!
@roeperk8595
I am pretty sure Miles Davis "Kind of Blue is the top selling jazz album of all time...
@slickingdom
Roe Perk Yes!! Miles!! I believe I meant βcontemporaryβ jazz album. I actually read that somewhere.
@fibboobbif
not to forget Lee RitenoursΒ "Captain Fingers" from 1977... That blew us all from any sofas even in europe
@aramfingal
His drumming on headhunters is why I'm here! π An absolute legend.
@DrumLaw
His ghost notes are smooth as hell, on all drums, not just the sane drum. He makes one drum sound like several ones. I also noticed he switches from traditional do matched grip when necessary. Truly a great drummer. And overall very good lessons. :)
@salrodriguez51
Nobody better than Harvey when it comes to finesse and pocket .. Amazing discography and still going strong ππΌ