Sean Mason Quartet

When Sean Mason speaks about music, you can hear the notes falling into place. The cadence of his ideas unfolds with deliberate tempo, each exploring and resolving tension like an inspired chord progression. His 2023 debut album, “Southern Suite” has emerged as a guiding luminary, shining his introspective command as both a pianist and composer through the historic lens of jazz to create a work that distills the essence of the genre for our time even as it points the way forward.

The Sean Mason Quartet, a band assembled to play Sean’s original music, has been described as highly melodic and infectious.

Born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Sean took to the piano at the late age of 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. Sean’s unique voice in jazz is steeped in the sound of the South, allowing an extended time for groove while also displaying a vocabulary far beyond his years.

During his time in North Carolina, Sean met jazz legend Branford Marsalis, who was immediately taken by Sean’s musicality and recommended he move to New York. “I told my brother [Wynton Marsalis], ‘Be on the lookout for this kid,’” Marsalis recalls. Upon his arrival, Sean hit the ground running, quickly securing performances and residencies at some of New York’s most prestigious jazz clubs, all while attending The Juilliard School.

Sean Mason is a 2025 Grammy nominee for the 2023 album he recorded with Catherine Russell, “My Ideal.” He is a generational talent well on his way to becoming a leading pianist/composer of his time.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

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