The blues artist Dutch Mason was remembered for his passion and modesty at a tribute concert Sunday.

About 200 friends and fans gathered in Halifax to pay tribute to Mason, who died Dec. 23 at his home in Truro, N.S. He was 68.

Dutch Mason was dubbed the prime minister of the blues.
(CBC)

Known as the "prime minister of the blues," Mason won international acclaim for his music and was inducted into the Order of Canada in 2005.

But Mason was a modest man, said friend and producer David Dewolfe, something that was evident when it came to naming a blues festival after him.

"He didn't really want to call it the Dutch Mason Blues Festival, and I said, 'Well what else are we going to call it?' " Dewolfe told the crowd gathered at the community hall.

"Where else could you get respect in the blues community, in the international community than with any other name?"

Mason's son, Garrett, a Juno-award winning blues artist, was among the artists who played at the tribute concert.