Rod Mason

Rod Mason (28 September 1940 – 8 January 2017) was an English musician (trumpet, cornet, vocals) who played trad jazz.

Biography Mason was born in Plymouth, England. As a young man he played with the local Tamar Valley Jazz Band, in which his father, Frank "Pop" Mason, had played drums. His father and mother Gwen, ran the family soft drinks company Mason's Minerals. At Kelly College, in Tavistock, Mason played the bugle with the cadet corps, after which he developed a keen interest in a spare valve trombone. He played this in his father's band until the trumpet player left; Mason replaced him using a brass-band style cornet.

From 1959 to 1960, Mason played briefly with the Cy Laurie band.

Personal life and death Mason had a keen interest in both motorcars and motorcycles which led to a separate career as a speedway rider. He represented Plymouth on cinder tracks all over the UK although, as a result, suffered many minor injuries which made him decide to remain with music. He played his last gig in Kaarst, Germany in December 2016 and died three weeks later, after developing peritonitis and pneumonia. His son, Timmy, predeceased him. He is survived by Ingrid and his other son, Simon.

Discography By The Beautiful Sea 1970 Golden Hour Of Mr. Acker Bilk Rod Mason – Ian Wheeler 1974 Rod Mason Featuring BAD JOKE 1975 Giants Of Jazz 1976 Salute To Satchmo 1976 Dogging’ Around in Dixie 1976 Dr. Jazz 1976 Good Companions 1977 Meet Me Where They Play The Blues 1977 Jazz at the Strathallan 1977 Carry me back 1978 Great having you around 1978 Stars Fell On Alabama 1979 After Hours at the North Sea Jazz Festival 1979 Six For Two 1979 The Last Concert 1979 Digital Dixie 1981 Digital Dutch 1982 Come Back, Sweet Papa 1984 Jazz Holiday 1985 The Pearls 1986 Rod Mason Hot Five 1986 Rod Mason's Hot Music 1988 Rod Mason And his Hot Five featuring Angela Brown 1990 Top 8 – Jazz Gala 1990 I love Jazz 1992 Ian Wheller at Farnham Meltings 1993 10 Years Rod Mason's Hot Five – Things We Have Done For Jazz 1994 Merry Christmas 1994 Red sails in the sunset 1999 100 Years Louis Armstrong 2000