| Ted Mason | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ted Mason |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genres | Rock, pop |
| Years active | 1979 - |
| Labels | Mi5 Recordings/EMI (2003-) |
Ted Mason, better known by his stage name T. Mason (London, England) is a British/Nicaraguan rock singer/musician/producer.[1]
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President of Mi5 Recordings, Ted played a long-time role as guitarist/songwriter/co-singer/producer, and manager for the British band Modern English, a pop group that sold 4 million records world wide. Additionally Mr. Mason has produced, worked with, and played as a session musician for a diverse group of artists, among whom include Jeff Beck, Peter Gabriel, Toots and the Maytals, Dead Prez, Trevor Horn, Betty Carter, Kid Creole, Santana, the Verve, Jesus Jones, Lokua Kanza, Youssou N'Dour, the Wallflowers, Ringo Starr, Julian Lennon, Khaled, 10,000 Maniacs, Afrika Bambatta and Queen Latifah. Ted studied classical guitar at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music before joining Modern English and is also a consummate bebop musician. Mr. Mason has also worked as a composer and film producer on many films including the HBO Academy Award Winning Documentary film project "Music By Prudence," directed Roger Ross Williams.
Though Modern English is considered a one hit wonder in the US, Modern English hits were numerous and included, Melt With You, Hands across the Sea, Ricochet Days, 16 Days to name a few. As well as a lead guitarist, singer, songwriter Mr Mason is President of his own Record Label Mi5 Recordings, which is distributed by the EMI/Virgin Capitol Records group. Artist on the label were quite diverse and included Dead Prez, Jeff Beck, Robert Plant, Thomas Mapfumo, Papa Wemba just name a few.
Mr. Mason has worked as a producer/musician with such artists as Akon, Chris Brown, Mary J Blige, Jeff Beck, Robert Plant, Santana, Dead Prez, Midge Ure, Bob Geldof, the Verve, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Prince, Papa Wemba, Khaled, Youssou N’dour, Sandra Bernhard, Real Roxanne, Macy Gray, Thomas Mapfumo, and Peter Gabriel. He has successfully released back catalog and obscure Modern English tracks through his label as well as releasing a huge roster of artists ranging from Hip Hop to African Soukous. He now performs as a solo artist in the United States, France and Africa, blending British Rock with world and African music. In 2010 he has toured in Central Africa backed by Rwanda's Soukous All Stars and a duet with Lokua Kanza.
Mr. Mason has also worked as a composer and film producer on many films including the HBO Academy Award Winning Documentary film project "Music By Prudence," directed Roger Ross Williams. Past directors included Milos Forman. He also works closely with his wife Jennifer Brunetti, (former company owner of FBI Productions, Inc.) in producing video, film and live concert events most notably "Volvo for Life Awards" which included production logistics and booking of such acts as Sheryl Crow, Ziggy Marley, and Suzanne Vega.
Mr. Mason grew up in both UK and San Francisco to a mixed parentage. Father was from Sheffield, Mother from Nicaragua.
Original Members Robbie Grey and Mic Conroy have used the internet to promote that Mr. Mason was never a member of Modern English. Management records, public records, film and television appearances refute their claims. They are touring now as Modern English without a major record label or booking agents.