Jake Mason Trio
Best known for his work with Cookin’ On 3 Burners, Jake Mason is a multi-instrumentalist and prolific songwriter who has released 12 albums, gained multi-platinum sales worldwide and established his own label and production house. Despite this incredibly impressive list of accolades Jake Mason has never been satisfied by simply sticking to a tried and true predictable routine.
With Cookin’ On 3 Burners having been active for almost 21 years the project has slowly drifted away from it’s early jazz roots. This shift in particular was a major factor in Mason’s decision to expand his musical output.
“With my background in jazz I was really yearning for a bit more of that material so I thought the best way to fulfil that desire would be to start a new project and hence the birth of Jake Mason Trio,” explained Mason.
By creating this new project Mason was not only able to fulfil his desire to play more classical jazz influenced music he was also able to create a group with friends he has wanted to work with for a while now.
“To have Danny Fischer and James Sherlock, two fantastic world class players who I’ve known for a long time, both on board is such a treat. It’s beautiful to play music with your friends, and while this hasn’t been something on the top of my list of priorities for 10 years or anything when it came together it definitely felt like it was the right time to do it.”
Whilst speaking with Mason it was evident that by having the two different projects running simultaneously he is very passionate and enthusiastic about the possibilities it opens up creatively.
“I’m always looking for something new, something fresh or a new way to twist something because I find it very difficult to do the same thing day in and day out. This works so well for me because I might compose a song that doesn’t quite fit for Jake Mason Trio but it can go into the Cooking On 3 Burners repertoire or vice versa, which has totally reinvigorated me for sure.”
For the Jake Mason Trio the writing, record and performing process all orbits around the idea off improvisation, something which has always been at the forefront of jazz. For those unfamiliar with the jazz world this sounds like it could be a complete shambles but as Mason explained there is method to the madness.
“Obviously the songs have a rhythm, melody and structure but when we’re in the improvisation sections we rely on a certain mood or feeling which we established during the recording process to guide the way.”
That isn’t to say there isn’t a level of trepidation with each performance, “it’s a little scary at times because you never know what’s going to happen but’s that’s also what it’s all about, that freedom and spontaneity make it fun.”
Jul 12. Lazybones Lounge, 294 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville. $15+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.jakemason.com.au
