MAS Presents: Catherine Russell & Sean Mason (soulful jazz vocals & piano)
This performance is part of MAS Presents’ The Roots of Jazz series — a celebration of the rich history and lasting legacy of jazz in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood, made possible with support from Denver Arts & Venues and the Five Points Jazz Grant.
Tickets on sale August 7th, 2025 | All ages welcome
Please note: There will be two separate shows, each with its own ticket.
Early show: Doors @ 4 PM | Music @ 5 PM
Late show: Doors @ 8 PM | Music @ 9 PM
A familiar call drifts in like a favorite melody, “come over, it’s going to be a good time”. You instinctively follow and find yourself wrapped in stories, laughter, and soul.
RIYL: Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington
MAS Presents is thrilled to welcome back Grammy Award-winning vocalist Catherine Russell, joined by acclaimed pianist and composer Sean Mason.
Catherine first performed in Denver on the MAS Presents stage in April 2015. This performance not only marks Catherine’s 10 year return to Denver but also the 10th anniversary of MAS Presents. In honor of this special occasion, MAS Presents will host two performances on October 3rd at 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
A native New Yorker born into jazz royalty — her father, Luis Russell, was Louis Armstrong’s longtime musical director, and her mother, Carline Ray, was a trailblazing musician in her own right — Catherine Russell has carved out her own legacy as one of today’s most captivating interpreters of American popular song.
Catherine’s powerful, joyful voice has taken her around the globe and onto over 200 recordings. Since her debut album as a leader in 2006, she has steadily garnered remarkable international acclaim, notably winning the Prix du Jazz Vocal (Vocal Album of the Year) in 2012 for Strictly Romancin’ along with a Grammy Award for her contributions to the Boardwalk Empire soundtrack. She has been nominated for three Grammy awards in the Jazz Vocal Album category, including in 2016 for Harlem On My Mind, in 2019 for Alone Together, and in 2025 for My Ideal. Her versatility and prowess have led her to perform and record with music legends including David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, and Steely Dan, with whom she currently performs.
Catherine Russell’s live performances are a celebration of timeless jazz and blues — featuring hidden gems from the 1920s to today, delivered with warmth, wit, and undeniable swing.
"A voice that wails like a horn and whispers like a snake in the Garden of Eden" — NPR
With a sound rooted in tradition and driven by innovation, pianist and composer Sean Mason is one of the most exciting voices in jazz today. A rising star from Charlotte, North Carolina, Mason has earned acclaim for his powerful original compositions and fresh takes on classic jazz, blending deep musicality with a wide stylistic range.
Known for his work with Branford and Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, and Catherine Russell, Sean has also worked on Broadway productions including Hadestown and The Phantom of the Opera, and leads the Sean Mason Quartet, an ensemble celebrated for its dynamic performances and innovative arrangements.
Sean’s path in jazz reflects his remarkable talent and forward-thinking vision, continuously pushing boundaries through his music. His work is set to leave a lasting impact — captivating audiences and inspiring fellow musicians with his dedication to the ever-evolving spirit of jazz.
Coming together to create the breathtaking, Grammy-nominated album My Ideal (2024), Catherine and Sean tell a history of jazz, with fresh and inspired homages to James P. Johnson and Fats Waller, and to the confluence of jazz and popular music with tributes to Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra.
The album marks a significant milestone in both artists’ careers, capturing a powerful and intimate musical dialogue that transcends their impressive individual talents. Described as a very special project by Dot Records who released the album, My Ideal is not only Catherine’s first complete set of voice-and-piano duets, but Sean is a remarkable piano prodigy whose technical skill is only rivaled by his soulfulness.
Both masters of jazz, their repertoires span the vast landscape of African-American and American popular music, from the blues and R&B to the Great American Songbook, Broadway, Hollywood, and Tin Pan Alley. My Ideal represents a unique convergence of experience and youthful virtuosity, offering a fresh yet timeless sound.
“Singing with the great pianist Sean Mason allows for the freedom to have fun and be in the moment. We understand each other.” — Catherine Russell
Catherine Russell’s 2015 Denver debut with MAS Presents