Summary

Trumpeter Anthony Hervey and pianist Sean Mason unpack the soul-and-blues core behind their duo chemistry—why a Monk program belongs in an intimate room, how Hervey’s “Du-Rag” reframes ragtime language for now, and why Mason’s “Open Your Heart” asks players and listeners to lead with emotion. We talk repertoire choices for the Joe Henderson Lab, the living-room vibe they aim for, and how spontaneity shapes their sets.

• Anthony Hervey — official site: anthonyherveymusic.com. ANTHONY HERVEY

• Album — Words From My Horn (includes “Du-Rag”): Outside In Music / Bandcamp. Outside in Music

• Sean Mason — official site: seanmasonofficial.com. The Sean Mason Store

• Album — The Southern Suite (Blue Engine Records): album page. Jazz at Lincoln Center+1

• Single — “Open Your Heart” (official studio video): YouTube. YouTube

• Anthony Hervey & Sean Mason — Joe Henderson Lab, SFJAZZ (Monk & Originals): tickets/info at SFJAZZ.org. sfjazz.org

• The duo’s “living-room” approach at the Joe Henderson Lab

• The roots of “Du-Rag”: ragtime strains, gospel color, and Hervey/Mason’s dialogue

• Why “Open Your Heart” pivots from ballad glow to spontaneous double-time

• Set-to-set variety, audience conversation, and letting the music choose the path

• Website & archives: BackstageBayArea.com. Backstage Bay Area

• YouTube channel (full episodes & clips): @BackstageBayArea. YouTube

Host/Producer: Steven Roby (Backstage Bay Area)
Music featured with permission of the artists and labels.

#BackstageBayArea #AnthonyHervey #SeanMason #SFJAZZ #JoeHendersonLab #TheloniousMonk #WordsFromMyHorn #TheSouthernSuite #JazzPodcast

Photo credit: EBAR