Will Mason Quartet: Hemlocks Peacocks 2025 Review

The latest album from the Will Mason Quartet, called “Hemlocks, Peacocks,” explores microtonality in a jazz setting. Drummer, composer, and bandleader Will Mason takes a fascinating approach to this unconventional musical idea, drawing inspiration from LaMonte Young’s The Well Tuned Piano and using special keyboards that play notes in smaller intervals than the common 12-tone equal temperament.
The quartet, consisting of Mason on drums, deVon Russell Gray on keyboards, and a tenor sax/alto sax horn section with Anna Webber and Daniel Fisher-Lochhead, dives into Mason’s unique musical concepts. By excluding a bass player, Mason highlights the keyboard’s idiosyncratic sonic impact.
Mason blends elements of chamber music compositions with the improvisational nature of jazz, creating a fresh and innovative approach to his music. The microtonal sounds produced by the keyboards may be new to Western-trained ears, but they play a crucial role in Mason’s melodies. The choice of a two-sax front line complements the microtonal keyboards, making it easier for listeners to embrace these unconventional sounds.
Each track on the album showcases the quartet’s musical prowess, from the harmonizing melodies of “Hemlocks” to the intricate interplay between instruments on “Turned in the Fire.” In “Planets,” the saxophones take center stage in a freedom-fueled performance that showcases the group’s dynamic energy.
Microtonal jazz has been explored before, but Will Mason Quartet’s “Hemlocks, Peacocks” offers a fresh perspective on the genre. The album is now available on Bandcamp, inviting listeners to experience the boundless potential of microtonal music.