John-Alex Mason

John-Alex Mason attributes his love of music to two central people from his childhood in Colorado. First, his older brother, Stephen, who rocked out to music of the 60’s and 70’s - Led Zeppelin, the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix and the Allman Brothers Band. And second, his godmother, Viola Marigna, who introduced him to Baptist moans and gospel through her own voice, mass choir concerts and church performances. “I remember the exact moment Stephen played Led Zeppelin II for me and how powerful the smell of heavy perfume and anticipation was at Viola’s church,” says Mason. It was not long before Mason discovered blues music and the bridge between praising and rocking.

As a quiet teen, Mason spent his free time listening to blues records – one of the first was Muddy Waters’ “Hard Again.” That same year the album’s producer Johnny Winter and harp contributor James Cotton came through to play separate shows at Colorado College. “I was pretty well floored by those two shows. I finally came to when Cotton’s guitar player asked me if everything was alright and I realized that I was the only person left in the theater, still staring up at the stage.” Columbia’s release of the “Complete Robert Johnson” when Mason was 15 led to a particular fascination and relationship with solo country blues artists that suited his then shy style.

Holding his burgeoning musical talent close to his chest, Mason headed to Vermont to pursue a degree in conservation biology. It was in college where Mason met fellow blues devotee and gifted multi-instrumentalist Gerry Hundt, now a member of Nick Moss and the Flip Tops, and began playing live shows. But it was his first job working for a military contractor in Germany that led Mason to consider music as a full-time pursuit. “The job was rough and boring, but the nights were a blast, busking for people far away from the Army life.” The streets of Dutch, French and German cities were the perfect places to develop his distinctive style and stage presence.

The street also played a critical role in the development of his one-man band show. After winning the Telluride Acoustic Blues Competition in 2001, Mason was hired back to teach slide guitar at the festival’s guitar camp. It was through the Telluride Blues and Brews festival that Mason developed his passion for teaching and met and came under the influence of contemporary luminaries Taj Mahal, John Cephas, Phil Wiggins, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Anders Osborne and Richard Johnston.

“At Telluride, Richard invited me out to play with him in Memphis on Beale Street and I took him up on the offer. It was a steamy Thursday night in June and Rick gathered a crowd, something he’s really good at, then introduced me and promptly left the drum stool. My acoustic instrument was still de-tuned from the trip so the only option was Richard’s drum rig and Lowebow. So I hopped on.” Mason made enough that weekend trading sets with Johnston to pay for his hotel, meals and airfare, but more importantly found a vehicle to express the electrified, deep country blues sound he heard in his head.

Since then Mason has performed with BB King, James Cotton, John Mayall, Jimmie Vaughan, The Yardbirds, John Hammond, Robben Ford, Bob Margolin, Kelly Joe Phelps, Joan Osborne, Otis Taylor, Carolyn Wonderland, Will Hoge, Rose Hill Drive, The White Buffalo, Shemekia Copeland, Johnny A., Bugs Henderson, and the man Mason calls “the King,” Robert Belfour.

“I first heard John-Alex Mason in the distance when he played at the King Biscuit festival in Helena, Arkansas a few years ago. His Delta Blues sounded so right and appropriate in the land where that music was born, mixed with the echoes of the Blues from the past, by the Mississippi River. John-Alex was whuppin' it with the fire, passion, and understanding of the language of Blues Music. I had to find out who was playing, and I met him and thanked him when he came off the stage. I've gotten to see more of him and we played together the next year in Colorado. I'm moved by John-Alex's talent and fidelity to the spirit of the deep Blues we love.” Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin, Muddy Waters' guitarist

"Going to the 'crossroads' and trading one's soul to Old Scratch for musical prowess is a myth, but if it was true, young John Alex-Mason could claim bragging rights. With real roots in gospel and classic rock, Mason channels Charlie Patton, Robert Johnson, Skip James, Elmore James and others along with his own originals that eerily resonate with the spirit and soul of the traditional country blues." Dave Rubin, Guitar Edge Magazine

“This is how blues was meant to sound. John-Alex Mason first hits your ears with a voice that comes from another time and place. It’s a mature, smoky curl that jumps off the record with a density many singers spend years trying to achieve. From there, Mason’s songs and interpretations take his listeners on a backroads journey to those long, back breaking days and hot, juke joint nights. One listen and you’ll hear the pure Delta blues truth reincarnated in this young soul.” Art Tipaldi, Senior Writer Blues Revue and Blues Wax.

"John-Alex Mason never ceases to amaze me. His latest release Town and Country reflects great prowess in musicianship, a true respect for Blues tradition and an ability to write and perform original songs that fit into the traditional Blues genre. Performing solo with an acoustic steel body on the Country tracks and solo with electric guitar and foot drums on the Town tracks provide fifteen great recordings of both original material and covers of old circa 1930's Blues gems making this a great listen for Blues lovers everywhere. The only thing better is John-Alex Mason performing live." Brian A. Elliott, "True Blues," KCUV Denver & "All Blues," KBAC Santa Fe, & President, Colorado Blues Society

“On TOWN & COUNTRY, John-Alex Mason demonstrates an abundance of all the qualities his fans have come to love: energy, musicianship, songwriting and - most of all - passion. He is one of the bright lights of country-style blues, equally at home with a single guitar or his one-man-band kit (and he’s just as enjoyable in a group setting). TOWN & COUNTRY will attract more new fans to this dynamic performer.” Jim Primock, Holler

“Town and Country is a remarkable display of electric and acoustic guitar that would have been a seamless fit in the old Paramount catalog if you didn't know better. In addition to his fretwork wizardry, Mason is a gifted composer and vocalist. Guitar fans will find a lot to love here.” Graham Clarke, Blues Bytes

“Mesmerizing vocals, connecting with the listener. This is music from somewhere inside all of us, vaguely familiar yet strangely surprising, all at the same time. These rhythms will stay with you for days.” Thom Rogers, WorldofBlues.com

"Upon first hearing the latest effort from John-Alex Mason, "Town and Country", I was stunned to realize the voice I was hearing was coming from such a young man. Even though Mason hails from Colorado, he sounds as if he was born and raised on the Stovall Plantation sprung full grown from the soul of Charley Patton. The vocals on "Town and Country" ring true on each selection, as if Mason has lived the life about which he sings. His original material is well written, and again sounds like it could have been written 75 years ago, the feel is that authentic. I particularly like "Locomotive", which conjures up images of the late R. L. Burnside and his hill country boogie, "Strange Things", and his heartfelt lament to New Orleans, "Chef Menteur". When he chooses to do a cover such as "Terraplane Blues", or Skip James' "Cypress Grove" he puts his own mark on the song without ever losing the mood of the original, and makes you feel as though you are being hurled back in time to a Mississippi cotton field. His acoustic guitar work on the "Country" songs has a wonderfully sparse sound to it and seems to come from some deep place inside. Then on the "Town" section he adds the percussion and goes electric, and we're in for a sweet ride as the music carries you along. All in all, a great effort from John-Alex Mason, and a disc that deserves repeated spins.” Brett Fleming, “Soul Stew,” WEVL Memphis

“Town & Country displays John-Alex Mason’s facility with acoustic country blues and his amplified one-man band style. While Mason is a talented guitarist, his vocals on this disc may garner more attention. His deep, rich and expressive voice is completely sincere.” Jeff Koepke, KRFC Fort Collins

"Calling John-Alex Mason a "one man band" is a little misleading, because it sounds like three different people in harmony. It's not the novelty that makes it great; it's the powerful effect of the percussion, vocals and the guitar coming from the same soul. It comes across relevant, tribal and a wide groove, good listening and toe tapping, hell, you can dance to it too!" John Catt, founding member, Grand County Blues Society and director of the Blues from the Top Fest.

"Mason is one heck of a cool cat that brings his soul to every damn show: rollin' his blanket out on stage. That deep voice callin' out Americana style is enticing to any audience young and old alike. He's nothin' short of a crowd pleaser." Brad Mallen, Owner, TrouserMouse Bar.

"WOW! I have long admired the way that John-Alex Mason plays and sings, he is a real pro and it is clear that he "feels it"! His "one man band" show at the Trinidaddio Blues Fest "Pre-Fest" takes John-Alex up another rung (or two, or three!) on my ladder. Even though John-Alex was sponsored by our friends at the Colorado Blues Society, I usually stay away from having one person acts play for more than 30minutes or so. Really - even trios don't normally get that much more. John-Alex Mason played, all by his lonesome, for nearly two solid hours to a packed (500 tickets sold!) crowd that was waiting to hear Bernard Allison's guitar magic. The set not only pleased the "natives," who can become restless - they loved it and so did I! If I needed any convincing that John-Alex Mason is the "real deal" (I really didn't!) I sure got it that Friday nite in Trinidad! What a great guy and what a great act!"