Norman Mason

Norman Kellogg Mason (born 25 November 1895 – 6 July 1971 St. Louis) was a Bahamian-born American jazz clarinetist, multi-instrumentalist, and bandleader.

Early life and career Mason was born in Nassau, Bahamas, to Ellis and Alice Leanora (née Bartlett) Mason.

He began playing trumpet at age eight, as did his brother, Henry Mason.

He immigrated to the United States in 1913, initially living in Miami. He toured with revues such as the Rabbit Foot Minstrel Show while still in his teens, and soon after became active on the New Orleans jazz scene. Soon after he played in bands in Chicago and St. Louis.

Career At the end of the 1910s, Mason was playing with Fate Marable, when he began playing alto saxophone.

Toward the beginning of the next decade, Mason was a member of Ed Allen's Whispering Gold Band, and soon after led his own ensemble, the Carolina Melodists (though they had no actual connection to North or South Carolina). For one year, he and the Melodists played on radio stations WIL and KMOX in St. Louis.

From 1927 to 1933 Mason returned to duty under Marable, and after leaving his employ Mason began playing clarinet in Chicago and St. Louis bands.

In the mid-1950s, Mason headed the Dixie Stompers band in St. Louis.