Pianist and composer Sean Mason joins Preston Frazier on the Slang of Ages Podcast to discuss State of the Art, his bold new album arriving October 16, 2026, via Taylor Christian Records.
Inspired by jazz’s historic relationship with social dance—and conceived during an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and technological perfection—Mason created the album under deliberate constraints. The music was recorded in a single day, with no more than two takes of each composition.
Mason is joined by bassist Felix Moseholm, drummer Domo Branch, and movement artists Reyna Nuñez and LeAndre Douglas. Rather than simply performing for the dancers, the trio interacts with them in real time. Their footsteps, voices, body percussion, and physical energy become part of the music, pushing every performer toward a more spontaneous and deeply human response.
Mason discusses choosing spirit over technical perfection, treating mistakes as opportunities, recording without sound barriers or sheet music, and the almost telepathic communication that developed among the five performers.
The conversation also explores the stories behind “Secure the Bag,” “A Good Day,” “Honey Pie,” “Carolina Waltz,” “This or That,” and “Nightcap,” along with Mason’s work as the head of Taylor Christian Records, the forthcoming video edition of the recording session, and his plans to tour the United States, Europe, and Japan.
State of the Art arrives October 16, 2026.
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