...folk provides the theme but jazz determines the style Landermason Biographies

Fiona Lander

Fiona learned to play the piano and clarinet whilst at primary school then joined choirs and took up the saxophone at high school. Fiona's first public solo performance was at the age of ten where she played the jazz standard 'Night Train' on clarinet at a school concert.

Jazz has always been a major influence in her life with both her father and music teacher being jazz pianists. Fiona went on to study music at Colchester Institute and gained an Honours degree. It was here that she found a real love for composition and arrangement.

During this time at college, Fiona composed a range of instrumental and vocal pieces including an arrangement of '3 Northumbrian Songs' for Saxophone Choir (which has since been published). Fiona went on to teach music in 2 High Schools and became Head of Department in one for 5 years.

She has been involved in the musical direction of several shows and a youth Jazz Band. Alongside the teaching, Fiona has been determined to continue developing her own performing skills and has performed with folk band Trunkles and the rock band Strangeways.

Following her move back to the North East, Fiona has found herself teaching woodwind instruments in the school she went to as pupil! She is becoming increasingly well known in the region for her skills as a performer, teacher and composer.

Paul Mason

Music, in all its forms, has always been a strong influence in Paul Mason's adult life and he has been fortunate throughout his life to have been encouraged by some gifted musicians.

Born in Sunderland, Paul was given his first guitar at the age of 12 and taught himself to play. At the age of 13, Paul has his first lessons and was lucky enough to have fellow Wearsider Dave Stewart (of Eurythmics fame) as his first guitar teacher. From these early beginnings, Paul gained invaluable experience over the next few years playing lead guitarist in variety of rock bands throughout the North East of England.

This was followed by a move to London in the early '80s to seek fame and fortune with a rock band known as The Dumb Blondes. Moderate success followed - the Dumb Blondes released a single on Fresh Records, played a number of major London venues and went on tour in the UK supporting bigger name rock bands.

However, following a serious accident with a circular saw which badly damaged his left hand, Paul gave up music for about 4 years. Then one day he came to realise that although the accident was serious, he was lucky still to have all his fingers. So he went out and bought a nylon string guitar because it was still too painful to play steel string, due to the sensitive scar tissue on his fingers.

Paul never looked backed. He found he really enjoyed playing classical music and also started composing pieces for classical guitar. Following a chance meeting with Russian classical guitarist Alex Vlassenkov, Paul was able to work on his playing technique with Alex's help. Since Landermason was formed, Paul has also found his voice and has added vocals and songwriting to his instrumental talents.