Six-String Standards

...an introspective experience of deeper meaning...a mature rendering of masterful playing and ideas. Razavi is definitely one to watch.
JAZZTIMES

Inspired by the great solo guitar tradition epitomized by the towering performances of Joe Pass, Lenny Breau, and the like, Bay Area guitarist Mason Razavi offers his own look at a wide-ranging collection of tunes from the Great American Songbook. With several compositions from famed Sinatra collaborator Jimmy Van Heusen alongside familiar favorites from Henry Mancini, Johnny Green, and others, Razavi interprets these songs with his archtop and acoustic guitars, alternating between pick playing and intricate fingerstyle arrangements to deliver a varied set bound to delight lovers of solo guitar.

Production Info:

Produced by Mason Razavi
Recorded by Phil Hawkins
at Pnote Media, Santa Clara, CA, except:
(3,6,7,9) recorded by Hugo Wainzinger
at Heartstrings Studios, Mountain View, CA
Recorded November 2021 and July 2022
Mixed & mastered by Phil Hawkins
at Pnote Media, Santa Clara, CA
Photographs by Phil Hawkins
Cover design & layout by John Bishop

Reviews of Six-String Standards

Jazz Weekly (George W Harris)
Mason Razavi gives a workshop of how to use various guitars ranging from archtop, nylon and steel stings,in how to interpret The Great American Songbook in a solo setting. His nylon strings glow on ‘Body and Soul", while glistening on a tender intro to "I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry". He swings easy when plugged in, as on "Stompin' At Th ...

CD Hotlist (Rick Anderson)
I may be wrong about this, but I have this idea in my head that whenever a guitarist wants to make an unaccompanied solo album, he or she almost always opens with "Stompin' at the Savoy." And with good reason: that tune is a perfect blend of graceful melody line and swinging danceability. The same can be said of Mason Razavi's whole album: he takes ...

Cirdec Songs (Cedric Hendrix)
In the spirit of Joe Pass, Stanley Jordan and the personal appreciation of Jimmy Van Heusen, guitarist Mason Razavi takes the spotlight alone and plays lovely renditions of jazz standards. His tone is rich and his touch is both delicate and percussive. He also moves that skillset between three different guitar styles, giving his voice a variety of ...

Take Effect (Tom Haugen)
The Bay Area guitarist Mason Razavi brings his inimitable vision to songs from the Great American Songbook, where his influences from Joe Pass and Lenny Breau are never far from the surface, and he utilizes both picking and fingerstyle playing. "Stompin' At The Savoy" starts the listen with plenty of warmth and playfulness, as Razavi navigates a ...