Dutch Mason

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Dutch Mason
Prime Minister Of The Blues (Photo by Lois Siegel)
Prime Minister Of The Blues
(Photo by Lois Siegel)
Background information
Birth nameNorman Byron Mason
Born(1938-02-19)19 February 1938
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada
OriginHalifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Died23 December 2006(2006-12-23) (aged 68)
Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
GenresBlues
Instrument(s)Guitar, piano, vocals
Years active1950s–2000s
Websitewww.dutchmason.com

Dutch Mason, CM (19 February 1938 – 23 December 2006) was a Canadian musician from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was inducted into the Canadian Jazz and Blues Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the Order of Canada in 2005.[1]

Career[edit]

Dutch started performing as a musician in the mid-1950s, usually playing rock and roll or rockabilly standards as well as traditional music from the Canadian Maritimes.[2] Dutch regularly played the local twin city lounge scene, notably The Wyse Owl/Eastern Billiards, The Dartmouth Inn and The Monterey in Halifax. As he began to become known as a blues artist in the sixties, he started to tour various parts of Canada. Into the 1970s and onwards, he became a very popular act and toured the country regularly, performing at the legendary Albert Hall in Toronto and the Rising Sun in Montreal.

In 1998, during his 60th birthday celebration, the CBC recorded a live tribute CD that includes performances by the Nova Scotia Mass Choir, Sam Moon and Frank MacKay. In 2004, he was nominated for a Juno Award for Best Blues album[3] and in 2005 nominated for Best Blues album at the East Coast Music Awards.

Dutch is survived by his sons Charlie Mason and Garrett Mason, who won the 2005 Juno Award for Best Blues album.[3]

Discography[edit]

  • At the Candlelight – 1970

Reissued as Dutch Mason Blues - 1979

  • Putting It All Together – 1971
  • Janitor of the Blues – 1975
  • The Blues Ain't Bad – 1976
  • Wish Me Luck – 1979
  • Special Brew – 1980
  • Gimme A Break – 1981
  • I'm Back – 1991
  • You Can't Have Everything – 1992
  • Appearing Nightly: Live At The Boom Boom Lounge – 1996

Reissued as Appearing Nightly: Prime Minister Of The Blues - 2003

  • Dutchie's 60th Birthday – 1998
  • Goodtimes with Johnny Tornado – 1999
  • Half Ain't Been Told - 2004

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Dutch Mason". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
  2. ^ The Ducats Showband Paragon LP ALS-242
  3. ^ a b "2008 Juno Awards". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 17 September 2009.

External links[edit]