brent mason

Since the release of his first album HEAD FOR THE HIGH GROUND in 1992, Brent Mason has established himself as one of the most prolific and literate songwriters in the Atlantic region. In October 2008 Brent released his 7th album - BOTH KINDS OF MUSIC - to base of fans who have enthusiastically embraced this new song collection as possibly his best yet.

Brent comes by his reputation as a tenacious writer and performer honestly. He has played over 100 shows a year for the past decade, touring the region as a solo act as well as with his band. His music has taken him to the UK for three tours, south of the border to Oklahoma and Missouri, as well as to Ontario and Alberta. During the course of his career he’s been fortunate to share stages with a veritable who’s who of Canadian acoustic music - Murray Mclaughlin, Valdy, Barenaked Ladies, Matt Minglewood, Laura Smith, Bob Snider and Lennie Gallant to name but a few.

In 2001 he was nominated for an ECMA as solo Roots artist of the year. In 2007 he was honoured with the Stompin’ Tom Award for his contributions to the Atlantic Music scene. Over the past few years Brent has devoted much of his energy to his solo show and now has developed it to a point where he can perform in almost any context - small venue, club, soft seater or festival stage and come away knowing he’s reached new fans with his music. He’s become especially experienced in the songwriter circle format, where his wit and charm help create an excellent chemistry on stage. Poetic, polemic and sometimes political, Brent is an excellent addition to any musical event.

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HIGHLIGHTS
2006
- Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, Fredericton, NB w/Joel Plaskett, Thom Swift, Suzie Vinnick
- Salty Jam, Saint John, NB
- City of Saint John Environmental Leadership Award
- Picnic for Peace, Toronto, Ontario
- Moonshine café, Oakville, Ontario
- Paddlefest, St. Andrews, NB
- C’est Wha, toronto, Ontario
- Tin Pan South, Millenium Lounge, Nashville Tennessee
- Host of Loyalist City Folk Festival Gala featuring Stephen Fearing, Valdy, Matt Andersen

2005
- Atlantic Airwaves Songwriter’s Series
- Canadian Country Music Week; Ship and Anchor - Calgary, Alberta
- Saint John Jazz and Blues Festival, Saint John, NB
(Hosted songwriter’s circle with Bob Snider, Shanklin Road, Ryan Leblanc etc)
- Released Gloryland wt shows in Saint John, Fredericton, Halifax and St. Andrews.

2004
- Featured wt Hot Toddy, Isaac & Blewett and Samantha Robichaud at Folk Alliance showcases with MIANS in Halifax.
- Composition “Here Comes the Tide” featured in NBCC film on the Bay of Fundy
- Saint John Jazz and Blues Festival: Hosted song circle with Laura Smith, Matt Andersen, Mae Moore, Lester Quitzau)

2003
- toured Oklahoma, Ontario

2002
- Unison showcase with Lennie Gallant, Damnhait Doyle, Les Muses
- Roots Room showcase at ECMA
- Released Hitcher on the Road, Oklahoma tour

2001
- toured UK for third time (3 weeks)

2000
- ECMA nomination for River Songs in Roots/Trad solo
- UK tour (3 Weeks)

1992- 2000
- tours of Ontario and the UK
- released 3 albums
- played literally hundreds of shows throughout the region
- song featured on a compilation CD in Manchester, England
- song featured on a BBC documentary :”The Food Chain”
- created a music festival at Poley Mountain

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PRESS QUOTES
“Brent Mason is the godfather of the Saint John music scene." - Grant Kerr, Telegraph Journal

“Gloryland is a tight, connected and beautiful album - one of the top 5 out of New Brunswick this year.” - Wilfred Langmaid, Fredericton Gleaner

“One of Canada’s best kept secrets. “ - Anne Ingram

“An album of rare lyrical insight.” - Folk Roots Magazine, London, England for ‘Stony Plain’

River Songs review ”...finally New Brunswick has a musical voice. This album makes the river come alive for us.” - Doug Hughes, NB Reader

“Mason has a rare gift for weaving lyric and story together - one to watch” - Fax Magazine