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Mason B. Mason
(????-July 2004) Monday July 14, 2004... Mason B. Mason, local icon, street blues guitarist and singer, died this month after a long struggle with cancer. Many of us are very familiar Mason's larger than life persona and stature, his big black felt, silver-banded cowboy hat, a smile that could light up the streets of downtown Santa Barbara framed by a hearty beard and mustache. Be it at Farmer's Market or Fiesta Five & Metro Theatres (played the Granada too on more than a few occasions). His blues guitar rifts and strikingly clear baritone voice were a staple in downtown for more than 12 years. Mason had a propensity for putting words to his music, singing about the pretty ladies passing, or a child smiling his way and anything else about the world passing by. In addition to his improvisational style he had a strong repertoire of songs that everyone knew (and sometimes would sing along with). He never failed to get a smile from passersby, applause from those in line for the movies, or just a hello from those who knew him (even those who didn't) who were on their way to work, home or just out for a nice walk in the cozy friendliness of State Street. His music and song filled the arcade to the box office most nights and days and was a delightful addition to the scene. Fridays and Saturdays were especially great. Mason had a booming laugh that could be heard within a block's radius, he was genuinely interested in the people around him, never failed to ask us how we were, never forgot a name or a face. We had many conversations over the years while I worked at the Fiesta and beyond, we talked about life, love, the world. Mason experienced quite a bit in his life (most before his travels to Santa Barbara), not all good, he managed to reveal little of his personal struggles to his audience, but anyone who talked with him at length knew there was much more to Mason than a terrific voice, a mean guitar and a bright smile...he was a good human being. Mason B. Mason once opened for Taj Mahal when they performed at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara and was recently voted by the Alternative School as on of the Seven Wonders of Santa Barbara..the only one not a building. In 2000 and 2002 he joined with fellow musicians Jon Crosse, Eje Lynn Jacobs, John Ormond & Craig Thatcher; performers: Henry Brown (whom I worked with in the late 80's), Rashad El Amin, Margaret Kemp, Vickie Patik and Rudy Willrich in the KCLB/Speaking of Stories collaborative performance at the Lobero Theatre...Speaking of Jazz. A collection of jazz inspired readings interspersed with music from the great genre. In April of 2004 a benefit at SOhO, where Mason played with many other performers, was held to raise funds for Mason's expenses. Mason, you will be missed. A thank you goes out to Bill Ferguson and Trinity Episcopal Church for accepting contributions for Mason's medical and living expenses From the Santa Barbara News Press article (I received this in the mail on 7/21/04): Mason B. Mason, the voice of State Street, dies Singer entertained passers-by for years By Scott Hadly News-Press Senior Writer State Street troubadour and bluesman Mason B. Mason died Monday. He was such a fixture downtown that students at the Open Alternative School once named him one of the "Seven Wonders of Santa Barbara." Not everyone enjoyed his quick smile and deep voice, however. During the mid-1990's he had a festering fued with a few downtown shop owners. A tussle with one owner led to misdemeanor battery charge against Mr. Mason, who wound up moving up State Street to avoid future confrontations. The enigmatic musician revealed very little about his background even to those who knew him the best, said friend Daniel Simon, a local attorney. "He just didn't want to go there," said Mr. Simon, who spent hours with Mr. Mason during the last few months playing chess or sitting and watching the Lakers on television with him. "I'm like a lot of people, you know, everybody sort of knows Mason, but nobody - including me- really knew him." Talented and charismatic, Mr. Mason seldom performed onstage, but at one point opened a show for Taj Mahal at the Lobero Theatre. "He had such a wonderful voice and a great smile," said Mr. Stone. Mr. Mason, who had been in Santa Barbara for at least 14 years, had once lived in Canada and may still have a mother living in the Quebec area, said friends. Court records show his true name was Sonye Bertrand Mason. None of the close friends interviewed by the News-Press knew his age. One friend thought he was only 31; another at him at 62. Several court records only added to the mystery, with a similar range in information about his birth. For several years he lived in a motel in Carpinteria. More recently, he rented a room at Wings of Love, a Christian charitable home on the Mesa operated by the Rev. Clem Mayes. "He was very serious-minded person," the Rev. Mayes said. "He really concentrated on his music and didn't let anything get in the way of that." David Stone, who lived across the street from Mr. Mason and knew him for at least a decade, sent out a mass e-mail to fellow workers at Santa Barbara City College about the musician's death. The dozens of responses included one from college President John Romo, who said the city wouldn't be the same without him. "Mason was a high-spirited and energetic individual," Mr. Stone said in his note. "The void he has left on State Street will someday be filled by another; however, there will never be another Mason B. Mason." Last year Mr. Mason spent time in the hospital after being diagnosed with stomach cancer, and then in the fall, the cancer metastasized, said friend Margaret Matson, who helped care for him in his last months of life. Mr. Mason spent his last months at Serenity House, a hospice care home. But he still talked about beating the disease, Ms. Matson said. And unlike many terminal patients, he never wanted medication that could have eased the pain. Friends said he yearned for clarity and didn't want to go out in a haze. "He had the strongest will," Ms. Matson said. Like a lot of people, Ms. Matson got to know the guitar player on State Street and at the farmers market. Even his name was a bit of mystery for Ms. Matson. At one point she asked Mr. Mason what the "B" Stood for in Mason B. Mason, and he told her "Blessed." Although Ms. Matson was with him when he died, even in the end, Mr. Mason didn't reveal much about his family, whether his mother or father were still living or whether he had any living relatives. She plans to honor his wish of being cremated and having his remains scattered over Quebec. Plans for a public memorial are in the works, but have not yet been settled, Ms. Matson said. The last time Mr. Mason picked up his 12-string guitar to play was in April for a small benefit concert at SOhO to help him pay some of his medical bills. He was the last one to perform. "It was around 10 or 11 and he came out onstage to play," Mr. Stone said. "As he was singing, tears were streaming down his face."
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