In the late ‘70’s, after working in the the Boston and Providence “Rock Scene” I was starting to develop my interest in jazz, and the skills to play it. I was beginning to make some inroads among the local jazz musicians, but I was hungry to play and looking for like-minded people.
On a trip into downtown Providence on a warm spring day I was surprised to hear what sounded like big band jazz wafting through the city. I had some time, and started walking towards the source of this music and was delighted to find the University of RI jazz band set up in front of one of the large bank buildings in the financial district of the city.
After the concert I struck up a conversation with several of the players, and exchanged phone numbers. Among that group was a sweet sounding tenor saxophone player who caught my ear named Bruce Abbott.
A friendship, as well as a musical collaboration began that day that has lasted until the present. And soon after, Bruce introduced me to a friend of his, pianist Ron Fournier, a quick witted, multi talented fellow and the three of us began working together in all manner of situations from the sublime to the ridiculous.
In 1985 I joined a start-up record label based in Providence called North Star. In 1995 an opportunity arose at North Star to make an album of classic standards from the “Great American Songbook”. Who better to call than these two good friends, who by now had proved themselves mature pro’s
The result was the North Star Release “The Very Thought Of You” which went on to be a best-seller for the label, and the first in a series. Click on our music player below to hear a track from this release or visit our store and hear snippets of that release and all the rest that followed.
Thanks for spending a little time with us. We’ll be back soon with more stories, recommendations, background and much more.
Paul Mason
Feel free to contact us at [email protected]
On a trip into downtown Providence on a warm spring day I was surprised to hear what sounded like big band jazz wafting through the city. I had some time, and started walking towards the source of this music and was delighted to find the University of RI jazz band set up in front of one of the large bank buildings in the financial district of the city.
After the concert I struck up a conversation with several of the players, and exchanged phone numbers. Among that group was a sweet sounding tenor saxophone player who caught my ear named Bruce Abbott.
A friendship, as well as a musical collaboration began that day that has lasted until the present. And soon after, Bruce introduced me to a friend of his, pianist Ron Fournier, a quick witted, multi talented fellow and the three of us began working together in all manner of situations from the sublime to the ridiculous.
In 1985 I joined a start-up record label based in Providence called North Star. In 1995 an opportunity arose at North Star to make an album of classic standards from the “Great American Songbook”. Who better to call than these two good friends, who by now had proved themselves mature pro’s
The result was the North Star Release “The Very Thought Of You” which went on to be a best-seller for the label, and the first in a series. Click on our music player below to hear a track from this release or visit our store and hear snippets of that release and all the rest that followed.
Thanks for spending a little time with us. We’ll be back soon with more stories, recommendations, background and much more.
Paul Mason
Feel free to contact us at [email protected]
Click on the music player below to listen to the track
"Steppin Out With My Baby" From
"The Very Thought of You"
"Steppin Out With My Baby" From
"The Very Thought of You"
RSS Feed