
Harvey Mason

Modern Drummer, July 1981 “Artists generally give me creative freedom. Sometimes, I feel that people are intimidated, and they don’t want to tell me what to play—which is too bad. I want everything. I want it both ways. I want people to trust me to give what I think is …

In its 45 years of publication, Modern Drummer has collected essential data from thousands of remarkable drummers, percussionists, and educators. Throughout our 45th anniversary in 2021, we will offer some features that celebrate the musicians, editors, writers, and photographers who have served the drumming community in these pages. So, sit …

I have always been a sympathetic player. I’ve always been in situations where I felt I was backing someone else up, and the object is to make them feel comfortable so they can do what they do the best they possibly can. I always wanted to have that kind of …

Harvey Mason is one of the most recorded musicians in history. His precise, soul-filled drumming has knocked out fans of sophisticated groove playing for more than forty years, on such seminal albums as
Sheila Escovedo is striking and diminutive, and can spark a band with the flash of a smile or an outrageous, ingenious percussion lick.
“I never really thought of being a professional musician,” stated Harvey Mason. “Music is something I did for fun and enjoyment, and coming from a poor family, there was no way I was going to do anything that wouldn’t make me a good living.

The rock drumming scene has progressed a great deal since the fifties. Those of us who played through that era remember the monotonous eighths and afterbeats, and those relentless right hand triplets.

The musical chameleon has used every color in his palette during his decorated career. Right now, it’s all about silver.

Canopus has been hand-building high-end drums in Japan since 1977, with the primary focus being on replicating and updating the most coveted sounds of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

Nick Mason, Gene Lake, Futureman, Barry Altschul, Jimmy Chamberlin, John Fred Young, Jon Rice, Matt Greiner, John Stanier, Paul Stanley-McKenzie, Roy Wooten, Danny Frankel, Harvey Mason, Tom Meadows
Harvey Mason, Barrett Miller, Dave Weckl, Terry Bozzio, Will Kennedy, Eddie Bayers, Carey, Jo Jo Mayer, Jeff Hamilton, Glen Velez, Philly Joe Jones, Pete Sandoval, Dan Rieser, Kenny Aronoff, Harvey Sorgen , Ian Wallace, Petur Smith, Billy Lee Lewis, Rod Morgenstein
In this Issue: Harvey Mason, Hunt Sales, Fred Young
In this Issue: Vinnie Colaiuta, Jim Keltner, Jeff Porcaro, Harvey Mason, Mike Baird, Denny Fongheiser, Steve Schaeffer, Bobby Elliott
In this Issue: Bill Bruford, Simon Wright, Carl Palmer, Harvey Mason, Dennis Chambers, Peter Erskin, Steve Smith
Posted: March 6, 2017
Nick Zamora On Tour With the Suffers
Drummer Nick Zamora’s driving feel, blazing yet apt chops, and Motown-inspired grooves are supporting the Houston, Texas, soul collective the Suffers on their current March tour. Since forming in 2011, the ten-member group has enjoyed a steady rise in popularity, thanks in part to television appearances on such shows as …
Posted: February 8, 2017
Legendary Bassist Nathan East on His New Album Reverence
On Nathan East’s second solo album, Reverence, he once again steps into the spotlight as bandleader. Produced by East and Yamaha Entertainment Group of America founder Chris Gero, it’s no surprise that shortly after its debut (less than one month ago), the album hit the number-one spot on both the …
Posted: April 13, 2016
News: Dave Weckl, Sonny Emory, Harvey Mason, and Will Kennedy to Judge Online Competition
Grammy-winning guitarist/producer Lee Ritenour will host the biennial Six String Theory Competition for the fifth time with applications accepted in guitar, bass, piano/keyboards, and drums. Registration is open until May 15, 2016 on the website by submitting two YouTube videos….
Posted: March 31, 2016

May 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer featuring Andrés Forero of Hamilton
(Available digitally March 31, 2016; in print April 1, 2016) Print Copy ○ iTunes ○ Amazon ○ GooglePlay ○ Subscribe On the Cover Andrés Forero “Andrés Forero is one of the most creative and versatile players of our time, and his participation in Hamilton solidifies his stature as one of …
Posted: March 31, 2016
May 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer featuring Andrés Forero of Hamilton
(Available digitally March 31, 2016; in print April 1, 2016) Print Copy ○ iTunes ○ Amazon ○ GooglePlay ○ Subscribe On the Cover Andrés Forero “Andrés Forero is one of the most creative and versatile players of our time, and his participation in Hamilton solidifies his stature as one of …
Posted: December 30, 2015

February 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer featuring Adam Deitch
See what’s in the February 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Adam Deitch and how to get it.
Posted: December 30, 2015
February 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer featuring Adam Deitch
See what’s in the February 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Adam Deitch and how to get it.
Posted: November 2, 2015
Dom Famularo’s Teachers List
Over the course of his forty-year career traveling the globe to teach, perform, and conduct clinics, Dom Famularo has interacted with some of the finest drummers and drum instructors in the world. The following list contains many of those names, organized by country/continent. If you’re looking for top-notch drum instruction, …
Posted: April 16, 2015
News: Legendary Drummer Harvey Mason to Receive Honorary Degree at Berklee Commencement
Berklee College of Music president will present drum legend Harvey Mason with an honorary doctorate at Berklee’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9, at Boston University.
Posted: December 12, 2014
Cannibal and the Headhunters’ Robert Zapata Talks Influences, New Album, and Tour
I have been the drummer for Cannibal and the Headhunters for forty-six years now. For those who don’t know the group you might know the song “Land of a 1000 Dances.???
Posted: August 19, 2014
Influences: Harvey Mason
Here, as a companion to our August 2014 Influences piece on Mason, we speak with the drummer about his new album, his early days, the drummers who inspired him, and more….
Posted: June 24, 2014
August 2014 Issue of Modern Drummer Featuring Shannon Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars
Check out what’s in the August 2014 issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Shannon Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars!
Posted: April 1, 2014
Lee Ritenour Announces All-Star Judges For 4th Bi-Annual Six String Theory Competition
Legendary GRAMMY® winning guitarist/producer Lee Ritenour has announced the stellar list of musicians assembled as judges for the 4th Bi-Annual Six String Theory Competition.
Posted: March 22, 2013
MD Education Team Weighs In On: Ergonomics
Click here to check out what the MD Education Team members have to say about setting up your drumset for maximum results….
Posted: March 19, 2012
Tim Walsh of the Stepkids
I’m Tim Walsh of the Stepkids, and I’m excited to be on here and hope to add to the wealth of knowledge that is MD’s awesome thirty-five-year history…
Posted: November 22, 2011
November Web Update News
Drumming news for the month of November complied in one place.
Posted: October 8, 2011
On the Beaten Path: Beginning Drumset Course, Levels 1, 2, and 3
by Rich Lackowski
Learn the drums by copping beats that are part of the everyday musical landscape.
Posted: September 22, 2011
Back Through the Stack: Harvey Mason
The studio star had a decade’s worth of important work under his belt when MD spoke with him for this 1981 cover story.
Posted: December 7, 2009
Influencer: Alan Dawson
Alan Dawson was an outstanding jazz drummer and a legendary teacher. Alan was known for his ingenious use of rudiments, his melodic approach to drumming, and an extremely advanced level of hand and foot coordination.
Posted: October 20, 2009
A Different View: Paul Shaffer
The longtime Letterman bandleader and keyboardist chats with MD about some of his favorite drummers.
Posted: December 15, 2006
Gavin Harrison: Porcupine Tree’s Grand Illusionist
Mind-twisting rhythms meet super-fat grooves? Gavin Harrison is a rare artist who knows how to do both…
Posted: July 19, 2005
Steve Jordan Interview
Steve Jordan has accomplished more in his drumming career than he ever could have imagined. Of the big names he played with, a short list would include Ashford & Simpson, Chuck Berry, Keith Richards, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, The Pretenders, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, B.B. King, David Sanborn, Tom Scott, …
Posted: May 12, 2004
Ralph MacDonald: Living The Island Life
The lyrics from one of Ralph MacDonald’s songs on his latest CD, Home Grown, start and end with words that sum up his life: “There is no better life than the island life. I love the island life, it makes my body free, it keeps my head together.”
Posted: March 16, 2018

Episode 134: Son Lux's Ian Chang, Applying Singles to the Kit, Canopus Harvey Mason Snares, and More
In this episode Mike and Mike discuss April 2018 featured artist Ian Chang, who appears on the new Son Lux album Brigher Wounds.
Posted: April 8, 2016
Episode 36: Bass Drum Mics and Miking Techniques, Abe Cunningham, Canopus Solid Brass and Harvey Mason Signature Snares, and More
Listen to Ep 36 of the Modern Drummer Podcast with Mike and Mike: Bass Drum Mics and Miking Techniques, Abe Cunningham, Canopus Solid Brass and Harvey Mason Signature Snares, and More!