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BORN
1933
DIED
2014
John Mast Obituary
He was 81 and his son, Paul, said he died of a mild heart attack. He had moved to Kansas to be near his son.
Mr. Mast was born Jan. 6, 1933, in Toledo, the son of James Clare and Edna Sanford Mast. Three years later, he played his first notes on the piano, the instrument with which he would establish a lifelong relationship. His father was a jazz pianist who inspired Mr. Mast's musical diligence.
Mr. Mast gained renown as a classical pianist while in high school, his son said. At age 14, he was invited to give a solo recital at the Toledo Museum of Art, and was flown to New York City to give a performance on NBC.
In 1951, Mr. Mast, then 18 and pursuing a degree in piano performance at Indiana University, performed the first movement of Tchaikovsky's Concerto in B-flat minor with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. Julian Seaman, The Blade's music critic, called Mr. Mast a pianist with "praiseworthy style," adding that "it seemed a shame that [the] orchestra could not equal the quality or style of young Mr. Mast."
Mr. Mast had been involved in an automobile accident that month, The Blade reported. Although he had suffered mild brain damage, he insisted on performing despite his painful injuries. Four months after the concert, however, he withdrew from college to rest. His doctor told him he would never play again.
Mr. Mast rejected that fate, his son said, and took up jazz. For the next 18 years, he was a traveling accompanist, soloist, and ensemble player, peregrinating around the country.
His travels always brought him back to Toledo, however. He was a fixture at Fifi's Restaurant and Rusty's Jazz Cafe. Both clubs, along with many others locally, have since closed - Fifi's in 2012, and Rusty's in 2003.
Mr. Mast was most comfortable in nightclubs, but the concert for which he was best remembered took place in an auditorium.
In 1994, Mr. Mast, along with several collaborators, played a series of his arrangements memorializing his friends Harold Lindsey and Harold Jaffe at the Franciscan Center of Lourdes College.
Rusty's owner Rusty Monroe said the performance, called "A Tribute to Two Harolds," was worthy of Carnegie Hall.
Jim Gottron, his friend, said Mr. Mast always played well. If you caught him on the right night, though, he was spectacular.
On one of those nights, Mr. Mast met his partner, Joni Rando, with whom he spent 22 years. And it was on one of those nights that Mr. Gottron, although he had heard Mr. Mast many times before, stayed hours after he had planned just to hear his friend at his best.
Surviving are his son, Paul J. Mast; stepson, David Williamson, and five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Quisenberry Funeral Home in Tonganoxie, Kan.
The family suggests tributes to the American Cancer Society or the Humane Society.
Contact Blade Staff Writer Jennifer Gersten at: [email protected], 419-724-6050, or on Twitter @jenwgersten.
Memories and Condolences
for John Mast
11 Entries
Harry Smith
July 10, 2014
I first met John in 1960, and played bass with him and variously Don Hales, Jim Lee, Jim Bishop, Jim Gottron and others at Rusty's (the old Dorr St store). I moved to Southern California in 1972, and except for sporadic visits back to Toledo, pretty much lost contact with John. I basically learned to play with John - along with a few others. R.I.P., old pal.
Mike Breneman
July 10, 2014
I remember John playing at Rusty's. I was still in High School, He played beautifully . He encouraged me when I started playing drums at Rusty's.
Bill Hones
June 30, 2014
This hits harder than I expected. Some people stay with you long after a brief association--that was John. Playing bass with him at Rusty's '79-'80, he demanded your best, and expected nothing less of himself. I waited too long to say this--thanks, John.
How you can show support
Dr. Frank Michota
June 30, 2014
As a young Podiatrist/avocational drummer in Sylvania, I was honored by John to be invited to play some gigs with his Blues Band at the old Swing Into Spring concerts in Perrysburg, and even got to "go on the road" to play a wedding reception in East Lansing,Michigan.In my retirement I have the privilege to play in a couple of groups in Naples, Fla. with the lady pianist who originated the part of the "Kit Kat" player in "Cabaret" on Broadway. John is still the best piano player I ever was fortunate enough to work with. I still play the tapes from the concert at Lourdes. The world will miss the man [and fellow Scotter] but his music will live forever.
Randy Richie
June 30, 2014
I first heard John at the old Rusty's in 1968. I was 17. It was my first jazz club experience & it was unforgettable. John & I worked at the Musicians Union together. He was Pres. & I was Sec'y Treas. - he inspired us to (re)start Swing Into Spring in Toledo - an event that went on for years.
An incredible player of Jazz (Midnight Sun), Pop (Evergreen!) and Classics (Slaughter on 10th Avenue)
An inspiration -- God Rest his Soul
Martin Greenberg
June 26, 2014
I played bass with John for perhaps a month at Fifi's, a few times at Rusty's and a handful of casual dates after that. His taste in Music was impeccable and I am grateful to have had an opportunity to work with him and learn from him.
Tuffy Reason
June 26, 2014
I never personally met John Mast but so many friends knew John and always praised him as a musician and person. Only last month, on a long distance phone conversation with one of John's longtime friends, Jim Lykins, Jim spun out a couple interesting anecdotes about John and his life. I am a huge jazz fan and heard his name often. God bless!
Judi Lawrence
June 26, 2014
So enjoyed your music over the years at Fifi's, John. You are missed. God bless.
John Petz
June 26, 2014
I first met John in 1977 when he was sitting in for pianist Jim Gottron at the Commodore Perry Quarterdeck lounge. During my college years I often went over to Fifi's to hear John play solo piano. He had a beautiful rendition on "Invitation" plus many other tunes. Then he might opt to go classical with Rachmaninoff or Malagueña. John had a great sense of humor. Back in Sept 1982 he was playing with a trio and singer Marianne Russo at Rusty's. Marianne was wearing a yellow dress and John, having finished his excellent rendition of Pete Jolly's tune "Little Bird" got on the mike and said "Ladies and gentleman that was Little Bird...and I'd like to invite Big Bird back to the stage". God rest his soul. He was a musical prodigy and an inspiration to many pianists such as myself.
June 26, 2014
The best friend and piano man...EVER.
We played a lot of gigs...
Love you, John.
Will always miss you.
Danny Weber
Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results
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