Luba Mason

This Valkyrie has an Elegant, Lusty, Resonant Voice
Michael Holloway

Born: Luba Gregus
July 26
Birthplace: Astoria, Queens, NY

Reviewer Michael John LaChiusa said, “Luba Mason’s music is an elegant showcase for her cool wit, lusty passion, and savvy musical taste.”

My thoughts exactly. Though Mason was born in Astoria, Queens, she is of Slovak descent, which shines through in this beautiful Valkyrie’s strong and resonant voice, which is just as effective when it is slow and tender. I am enraptured by the performance of Mason and collect her music.

Krazy Love

On January 27, 2009, Mason released her second album, Krazy Love, which promises to be a rich travelogue of human emotions expressed in modern relationships.

The tracks are performed with a zesty Brazilian jazz style. Her electrifying blend of Latin and jazz with acoustic pop and folk are augmented by the best musicians Mason has ever recorded or played live with: pianist/keyboard player Renato Neto, bassist Jimmy Haslip, percussionist Cassio Duarte, guitarist Sandro Albert, and drummer Marco Costa. Guest musicians include Hubert Laws and Ruben Blades.

The songs tell many stories, most of them written by Mason herself for this album. These include the title track about her childhood memories of growing up titled, This House, the romantic duet with husband Ruben for And, It Is With You I Go, a couple of songs dealing with the pain of betrayal in From Me To You, and A Summer Night; plus a fantasy set to music, Lovely, and a holiday song, Xmas In July.

When Her Spell was Cast

My first encounter of Mason was her performance in the DVD release of The Ten Commandments: The Musical, performed at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California in 2006. She captivated me.

Mason played Bithia, Queen of Egypt (wife of Pharaoh Seti, played by Aharon Ipale) who finds baby Moses in the river. Moses (played as an adult by Val Kilmer) was placed in the river by his birth mother Yokebed (Michelle Pereira) to save her son from the encroaching Egyptian forces; who were sworn to kill all the first born Hebrew sons. My devout fandom of this musical was set in stone from the first song, poignantly performed by Yokebed and Bithia where they show heartbreak and elation at the transition of baby Moses from a persecuted Hebrew to the new Prince of Egypt, younger brother to Rameses (Kevin Earley). As the regal Queen, Mason imbued Bithia with the passion, haughtiness, and warmth essential to the character, and performed all her songs beautifully. Mason’s portrayal of Bithia is matched only by Helen Mirren’s equally elegant interpretation of the character in the animated feature Prince Of Egypt.

However, the most magical moment for me in the show is the campfire scene where Bithia, Yokebed, and Zipporah (Nita Whitaker) perform one of the loveliest songs I have ever heard, Where We Belong, in which Moses’ two mothers and his wife sing praises in honor of Moses for coming into and changing their lives for the better.

Her Beginnings, Her Passion

Mason played classical piano for twelve years while listening to Top 10 pop charts on her clock radio and memorized every word of her collection of Broadway show albums. This unique blend of musical styling and the passion Mason has for many kinds of music is evident when you hear the power of her stunning soprano voice, though she is also amazingly gifted in jazz and contemporary style music.

Collage 2004 Release

Mason’s husband and collaborator, Ruben Blades said, “Good albums entertain, great albums endure the times, special albums have a soul. I believe Luba’s Collage entertains, will survive, and shows the soul of a wonderful singer on her way to a solid career as a soloist. This album has a soul, manifested through the excellent playing of the musicians in it, the spiritual quality of the songs chosen, and the sincerity and warmth of Luba’s voice. She’s powerful when needed and soft when required, always sustaining honesty in her delivery.”

I bought Collage, recently, and discovered her rich history in Broadway was a perfect blend with her rich choice of a vast array of songs chosen from many styles and periods of music history. Among the songs selected by Mason are covers of Van Morrison’s Moonlight, Lou Reed and Ruben Blades The Calm Before The Storm, Burt Bacharach’s Look Of Love, Johnny Nash’s I Can See Clearly Now, Neil Diamond’s Cherry Cherry, Elvis Costello and Ruben Blades Shamed Into Love, George Harrison’s I Need You, and Tom Waits Take Me Home.

Lou Reed said, “I am very proud of Luba’s version of The Calm Before the Storm. It is most appropriate for our times.”

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