Jason Masi

BIO

Jason Masi is an American/DC based singer-songwriter. He got his start with Richmond, VA based group, Jubeus, opening for acts like Blind Melon, Everclear, and SOJA and releasing two well received albums, "Two Tone Circles" 2004 and "Natural Mood" 2007, respectively. The latter was named as a top DIY (Do-It-Yourself) release by Performing Songwriter Magazine (Issue 107 - January/February 2008).

He stepped out as a solo artist in 2010, trading in the band's roots-jam driven rock for a more acoustic soul/r&b songwriter approach. He has since released three solo albums, "Balance & Pull", 2010, "Life Is Wonderful", 2012 and "Power of a Woman", 2014. His transition has led him to supporting slots for hit songwriters like Bleu and Darryl Worley, and has kept him busy on the road performing over 250 shows per year.

Masi's freshman solo record was released to noteworthy reviews, as well as significant radio airplay, charting in the top 200 college radio charts and being included on radio host, George Graham's, Best Albums of the Year list. His follow up solo effort, "Life Is Wonderful", gained additional support and was licensed for use on a number of TV networks (Discovery, MTV, Oxygen) and placed in online commercials, tutorials, E-books and game apps.

Influences in Masi's sound can be drawn between soul artists like Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers, folk and blues icons like Van Morrison and James Taylor as well as modern songwriters in the vein of Mat Kearney, Damien Rice and James Morrison. His songs are often reflective and thought provoking, yet maintain a free spirited and light hearted tone. Masi’s songwriting explores the complexity of love and compromise from a unique, but relatable perspective.

He approaches his music in much the same way he does life. His laid back and easy going personality translates into the lyrics and tone of his music yet his performances are energetic and portray him as the hardworking musician he is. It's a contrast that suits Masi well, as he goes from hobnobbing with his new fans like they are old pals, and catching up with longtime fans before he takes the stage for an energetic and passionate set.

Masi's newest record, "Power Of A Woman", released in October 2014, is smart, sexy, charming and reflective. The approach revisits much of the soulful pop sensibility of prior releases, but brings a fresh clarity and edginess to his next collection of heartfelt tunes. The tone and style of the album explores various genres, but maintains the honesty and focus that defines Masi's sound.

Masi is currently in the studio with producer Mark Williams, of Sucker Punch Recording Company, in Bethesda, MD working on a collection of songs slated for release in 2017.





PRESS

"...Onetime front man of rock band Jubeus, this Virginia-based singer/songwriter offers an indelible effort with his third full-length release, Power of a Woman. There’s no one else carrying off this style with such an effortless combination of panache and soul. Masi’s vocals are a complex stew of pure pop magic peppered with a strong bluesy undercurrent never far below the surface. Strengthened by superb production, Masi invokes love, lust, the joys of companionship, and the challenges of sharing your life with another human being.

The album kicks off with the slick urban blues of “How To Be Rich”. There’s an appealing effervescent sweep in Masi’s music, but it never lacks grit or genuine soul. The key, however, is that Masi never overplays that grit and this decision keeps the songs from descending into overwrought theatricality. The Hammond organ deep in the mix is a nice touch that gives the song additional sonic depth. “Power of a Woman” has a stronger blues edge than the opener, but the chorus opens up on a wider rock canvas. The contrast between the understated verses and blustery chorus is very effective. His lyrically complex take on male-female relations play on some well-worn popular song clichés, but he synthesizes these elements in a dramatic fashion.

Masi strikes with some slinky light funk on the smoky gem “I Will Make It Up To You”, but the unusual narrative of the lyrics will likewise capture a listener’s attention. This track highlights one of the album’s greatest musical strengths comes from the steady drumming that pushes each song. “Woman Will You Be My Friend” is, perhaps, the album’s highlight. The inventive arrangement brings each emotion to the fore with powerful clarity and Masi’s sensitive vocal wrings every ounce of drama from the lyrics. The lazy shuffle is equal parts R&B and big city blues, but the warm guitar licks simmer with passion.

The theme of relationships continues with “Good Things”, a delicate invocation of lessons learned, and the worth of generosity. Masi’s earnest, deeply emotive vocal is hard to ignore and sounds like an ideal vehicle for what is, essentially, a very simple song about a less than simple phenomenon. Masi couldn’t have ended the album any better than he does with the closer “Amends”. This has been, from first song to last, a nuanced and mature work about the challenges of living with those we love and the final song is a marvelous restatement of that concern. It manifests itself here as an exploration of restitution and forgiveness. If Jason Masi isn’t working at or near the peak of his artistic powers, one shudders with excitement to imagine what comes next. This is a memorable effort from the first song to last and authored by a top shelf songwriter backed by sympathetic, imaginative musicians."

10/10 Stars

Download Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/power-of-a-woman/id920082197

– Jason Hillenberg

"To be honest I can’t say enough about Masi’s overall appeal and signature sound. While the deep soulful lyrics and impressive musical talent seem to reach far beyond his years, an unmistakable and pulsating youthful energy permeates his songs. There is a certain fearlessness in the music. Combining a present voice, versatile guitar skills and a spectrum of emotion, Masi is emerging as a formidable emotional man's writer and musician. His songs resonate, and are as likely to move you as they are to get stuck in your head..." "Masi has a sound that favors many male pop artists in the late 70’s like Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, The Band and Bread but with a modern-day feel. In this respect I can also hear Joe Purdy, Griffin House, Eric Hutchinson, Barefoot Truth and Animal Liberation Orchestra. I’ve never heard an artist so skillfully combine so many genera’s into one unique sound."

Micah Barry - Indie Shark

"The sound is that of the golden era of popular music in the eighties and the nineties when musicianship mattered! But the beauty of this is the use of all mod-cons forcing Masi’s relevance into the modern world. Masi should achieve good support from radio and appears to be a critical darling in certain places like Virginia and all over the radio, but I am left bemused how he is not yet a household name. It’s not a case of all the elements being present but the final product being missing as the songs, the musicianship, the production, and the performance all knit together beautifully-even brilliantly. Maybe I’m lucky enough to be in on the ground floor? Maybe things are just about to kick on for Masi?"

Joseph Martinelli - Skope Magazine

“Most would agree most popular artists out there have something truly special to give to their fans. This goes above the typical attributes like raw talent, amazing songs, nice voice, or even a very marketable look, sound & image. There’s something truly infectious at the core of these artists that simply makes us feel good when we listen to them. Whatever “it” is – they all seem to have “it”. ... "most famous artists out there have “it” I’m not so sure what “it” is but Jason Masi has whatever “it” may be."..."Let me go on record and say Jason Masi is a SONY record deal waiting to happen. I also wouldn’t be surprised to hear his music on Prime Time Radio someday or even featured in a Major Motion Picture or TV production in the near future."”

RJ Frometa - Vents Magazine

"Right from the start it might be easy to just categorize Masi as some straight ahead young and run of the mill folk rocker, and write him off as the newest trending thing around the East Coast. It wouldn’t be wise, though."...some bands and artists can deliver music that’s pretty straight forward, conservative and painfully simple yet brilliant in scope. Bottom line: they make it look so easy. Furthermore in lieu of the amazing string of songs Masi has delivered, it almost feels as if he’s on to something, well special. This latest release from Masi is a one of a kind CD from a one of a kind artist that’s closely tied to classic pop, blues-rock-soul, but has a more modern light rock sound to it. Bravo to Masi for being himself, going against the pop grain and releasing powerful music. Jason Masi will please a wide range of musical personalities in the process."

Alice Freeman - Bandblurb

"Masi manages to capture a sound that is old yet surprisingly fresh all at the same time. Trust me when I say there are legions of fans waiting for this guy to arrive..." "this CD may be the most impressionable, genuine, artistic CD I've heard this year...Jason Masi and his production team have the courage to write and play music the way he wants to. A far cry from the sell out corporate puppet show bands the masses are scratching their heads at. Whereas 90% of the bands could care less about this approach as they just want to make labels happy. This is one of the most important attributes for me when reviewing music."

Seth Turner - Music Emissions

"Multi-talented singer-songwriter Jason Masi is plowing a row for himself as an independent artist in a field where having a unique and distinctive sound is becoming increasingly uncommon. A talented singer-songwriter his vocals blend naturally with the rich instrumentation and the songs are imbued with a classic feel reminiscent of new folk favorites like Blitzen Trapper, Iron and Wine, or even some of the folksier songs from The Shins."