Mason was one of the significant pioneers of the newfangled jazz movement of fusion, camping out in the Blue Note Records stables with the likes of Donald Byrd, Bobbi Humphrey, et al, creating hits with the production team of the Mizell Brothers. Mason was also the drummer of choice on the Columbia Records debut recording of Herbie Hancock’s iconic electric band, Head Hunters (co-writing the classic hit “Chameleon”).

In reflecting on his historic compositional collaboration with Hancock, Mason comments that he’s very much like the color-changing lizard. “Chameleon defines me,” he says. “That’s what I identify myself as. I can easily switch into different areas of quality music.” That’s not only served him well with his innovative, compelling drumming in a broad swath of stylistic settings, but it also characterizes his new concept band called Chameleon.

For nearly two decades, the contemporary jazz quartet known as Fourplay has enjoyed consistent artistic and commercial success by grafting elements of R&B, pop and a variety of other sounds to their unwavering jazz foundations. In the course of ten recordings – five of which have climbed to the top of Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Album charts – the supergroup has continued to explore the limitless dimensions and permutations of jazz while at the same time appealing to a broad mainstream audience.

The Fourplay story begins in 1990, with keyboardist Bob James, who had already established himself as a formidable figure in keyboard jazz – not just as an instrumentalist but as a composer and arranger as well – with solo recordings dating as far back as the mid 1960s. In 1990, James reunited with his old friend, session drummer Harvey Mason (Herbie Hancock, Sergio Mendes, James Brown), during the recording of James’ “Grand Piano Canyon” album. Also involved in the project were guitarist Lee Ritenour (Sergio Mendes) and bassist/vocalist Nathan East (Barry White, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins).

The “Grand Piano Canyon” sessions marked the genesis of the group that eventually came to be known as Fourplay. Their self-titled debut album was released in 1991, and included a blend of jazz, R&B and pop.

The original lineup of James/Ritenour/East/Mason stayed together for three successive albums, including Elixir (1994), a set that features some high-profile guest vocalists: Phil Collins, Patti Austin and Peabo Bryson. East also delivers some noteworthy vocal contributions on “Elixir”, and has continued to do so throughout most of Fourplay’s subsequent studio outings.

The group has enjoyed consistent artistic and commercial success by grafting elements of R&B and pop to jazz, appealing to a broad mainstream audience. Their debut album, Fourplay, sold over a million copies and remained at the number one position on the Billboard contemporary jazz chart for 33 weeks. Their next album, Between the Sheets, reached number one, went gold, and received a Grammy Award nomination. In 1995, their third gold album, Elixir, also reached the number one position and remained on the chart for more than 90 weeks. In 2015 the band celebrated its 25th anniversary with the release of the album Silver with former members Ritenour and Carlton.

Now approaching its fourth decade as a top contender in the smooth jazz field, Fourplay prides itself in being a band without a leader. Each player shares in the composing, arranging and producing of their material. As Bob James remarks, “We always aim to be leaders, to take the music to another level and raise the standards higher.”