Australian Hammond organ virtuoso Jake Mason has spent decades carving out a distinctive place in Australia’s jazz, soul and funk scenes, balancing two acclaimed projects, the improvisational Jake Mason Trio and long-running, soul-funk outfit Cookin’ On 3 Burners, while also developing a strong reputation as a producer and recording enthusiast. In celebration of a fabulous music career, we decided to deem Jake Mason our Musician of the Month for May 2026.
Speaking with Australian Musician’s Greg Phillips, Mason reflected on his early musical years, describing himself as the kid who was always hanging around the school music department jamming during lunch breaks. Although initially a piano player, his fascination with the Hammond organ began in his early twenties while sharing a house with another Hammond player. At the time, Mason was studying saxophone at the Victorian College of the Arts, but quickly realised there were far fewer Hammond organists on the Melbourne scene. Drawn equally by the instrument’s unique sound and practical gig opportunities, he immersed himself in the soulful world of classic Hammond jazz. Watch our interview below.
MORE ABOUT THE INTERVIEW
Mason credited pioneers such as Jimmy Smith and Jimmy McGriff as formative influences, discovering their recordings through the VCA library’s vinyl archive and Melbourne community radio station PBS FM. He spoke fondly of repeatedly listening to cassette copies of classic jazz and soul recordings, an experience he believes helped shape his musical identity long before streaming services existed.
Alongside performing, Mason developed a deep passion for recording and production through years of self-education and experimentation. He explained that early sessions with Cookin’ On 3 Burners members Ivan Khatchoyan and Lance Ferguson became a collaborative learning environment where the band obsessively studied recording techniques and vintage production aesthetics. Mason also cited legendary engineer Rudy Van Gelder as a major inspiration, admiring his ability to capture what Mason described as “the classic jazz sound”.
Mason discussed the contrasting musical philosophies behind his two major projects. While both groups are rooted in the Hammond organ trio tradition, Cookin’ On 3 Burners leans heavily into tightly orchestrated funk grooves inspired by artists such as The Meters and Grant Green. By comparison, the Jake Mason Trio embraces a looser, more improvisational approach rooted in classic 1960s soul jazz.
The current Jake Mason Trio lineup features drummer Danny Fischer and guitarist James Sherlock, musicians Mason has known and worked with for many years. He described the trio as a project built on deep musical trust and shared language, allowing the group to push boundaries and explore spontaneous improvisation on stage.
A major focus of the interview was the trio’s latest album, The Modern Ark. Mason explained that the title track was co-written with Mondo Rock’s Eric McCusker and features vocals from acclaimed American jazz singer Kurt Elling. The album also includes collaborations with vocalist Kate Ceberano, whom Mason praised for her boundless energy and creative enthusiasm in the studio.
Beyond its musical scope, Mason revealed that The Modern Ark carries subtle environmental themes, with several compositions and titles reflecting concerns about the future of the planet. Recorded largely live over just three days with minimal overdubs, the album also became Mason’s first foray into Dolby Atmos mixing, working alongside engineer Lachlan Carrick to explore immersive sound production.
The album artwork was created by artist Jeff Raglus, whose interpretation of the album’s themes Mason said perfectly captured the record’s aesthetic.
The conversation also touched on the realities of being an independent touring artist in 2026. Mason explained that both the trio and Cookin’ On 3 Burners operate as largely DIY enterprises, building audiences gradually through touring, social media, Bandcamp and direct fan engagement rather than major-label backing. Cookin’ On 3 Burners are currently touring extensively throughout Australia before heading to the UK and Europe, a long-awaited overseas run delayed by the pandemic years.
As a Hammond organ specialist, Mason also discussed the practical challenges of touring with such a notoriously heavy instrument. While he still treasures vintage tonewheel Hammonds, he acknowledged the usefulness of modern digital alternatives such as the Nord Organ 3, particularly when paired with a Leslie speaker to recreate the classic Hammond sound.
For Mason, collaboration will always remain central to his creative ambitions. Whether through guest vocalists, producers or unexpected reinterpretations of well-known songs in a Hammond-funk style, he sees both the Jake Mason Trio and Cookin’ On 3 Burners as evolving creative vehicles with plenty of future possibilities still to explore.
Jake Mason Trio – The Modern Ark Album Launch
Friday 8 May 2026
The Jazzlab
27 Leslie Street, Brunswick
Doors: 7:30pm
Show: 8:00pm
Support: Victoriana Gaye Trio feat. Jeff Raglus
Tickets: https://thejazzlab.com.au/event/jake-mason-trio-the-modern-ark-album-launch/
https://www.cookinon3burners.com/
https://cookinon3burners.bandcamp.com/music
https://soulmessinrecords.bandcamp.com/
