Guitarist Mason Razavi celebrates his soon-to-be-released album Even Keel at the SJZ Break Room, alongside Brian Ho on organ, Jason Lewis on drums, and special guest Charles McNeal on saxophone. He will be playing originals written specifically for this configuration—modern straight ahead and hard bop with a sprinkling of standards.
A recipient of the 2021 Leigh Weimers Emerging Artist Award, he has been praised for his “top-tier guitarmanship” (Vintage Guitar Magazine), while his compositions offer “an introspective experience of deeper meaning” (JazzTimes). He’s been recognized in his hometown as a “melodically inventive composer” (Mercury News) and a “terrific and consistent presence in the Bay Area jazz scene” (Metro) who has “carefully crafted his own voice” (SanJose.com).
Widely regarded as a masterful saxophonist, special guest Charles McNeal has performed nationally and internationally with the likes of McCoy Tyner, Wynton Marsalis, Roberta Flack, Lyle Lovett, James Carter, Steve Turre, Bruce Forman, Boz Scaggs and countless others.