BIOGRAPHY

Raymond Mason is a multi-instrumentalist, with a concentration on steel pan, from Catonsville, Maryland. Raymond earned his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies along with a minor in World Music from West Virginia University (WVU) where he studied steel pan under Dr. Jared Sims, drum set under Brian Wolfe, and world music under Dr. Michael Vercelli. While at WVU, he also studied violin under Dr. Mikylah Meyers and classical percussion under George Willis. Raymond is currently pursuing a Master’s of Music in Jazz Studies on steel pan and drum set at George Mason University under prominent steel pannist, Victor Provost and Navy Commodores' drummer Dr. Kevin McDonald. 

 

Since 2015, Raymond has taught lessons, clinics, camps, and festivals throughout the United States, including at the Ellie Mannette Festival of Steel, Baltimore County Strings Camp, and West Virginia String Day. Raymond recently traveled to St. Lucia to participate in the Laborie Steel Pan Workshop. Raymond has performed at Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), Buckhannon Chamber Orchestra, New York Panorama, and West Virginia Jazz Stroll.

 

Raymond has had many opportunities to play with world-renowned steel pannists such as Ray Holman, Tom Miller, Andy Narell, Jeff Narell, Ken “Professor” Philmore, Victor Provost, and Duvone Stewart. He has been on staff at the Ellie Mannette Festival of Steel since 2016 and a member of the Philadelphia Pan Starz since 2018. 

 

Raymond currently resides in Fairfax, Virginia working as a freelance musician and a full-time graduate student. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Raymond has been busy composing and arranging a variety of music and actively participating in musical collaborations.