Dave Mason's Traffic Jam is a rocking blend of old and new.

Among empty beer bottles, 12-string guitars and a well-used coffee maker I tried to keep cool as I sat across from Dave Mason on his tour bus an hour before his concert.

It was just me and a rock legend.

Mason was approachable, and he showed interest in my questions, which isn't the case with some of the more self-absorbed rockers.

We also found that we shared a lot of similar music tastes in music, like jazz guitar great George Benson.

As we spoke about his career, I felt more and more comfortable. Mason was thrilled that someone my age was interested in his work.

But at 70 years old, Mason still makes new albums, still shreds and still tours.

We're not talking a few dates here and there, sparsely scattered over the course of every other year—Mason is always on tour. It's simply what he does, and he loves doing it. As he puts it, he is "a working musician."

Mason's show that night at the Golden State Theatre, mark's the Traffic co-founder's second Monterey appearance in less than a year.

I asked, who was the most memorable artist he's worked with.

“Most unique is Hendrix," Mason said. "He is the most unique of all of them. They are all talented but just the fact I was working with him was a big enough memory.”

Mason came into contact with Hendrix when he was London. They used the same studios and engineers.

I asked him about life while touring and he told me that he does a lot of sleeping.

Mason on his most recent record 2014's Future’s Past: “I have to start with a song. The song has to stand up on its own. I’m not really super prolific. It took me almost two years to write the eight songs [for Future’s Past].”

On songwriting: “I try to write songs that are timeless. I think at this point it has all been done. There are 26 letters in the alphabet and 12 notes in music.”

Mason isn't involved in what the mainstream market is peddling. He's into George Benson, Buddy Holly, Jimmy Smith and all the other "real rock and rollers."

Last year, Mason worked with American blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa, and is always working on writing songs and cutting tracks to take on the road.

Mason’s tour “Traffic Jam” opens with a segment of classic Traffic songs and then his solo work that includes new and old, giving the show a balance of nostalgia and innovation. The musician writes and plays his song without the intention of “one style” and Mason himself enjoys the diversity and works in so many different genres. “It’s a hang-up for me because people can’t tag it. I would get bored of doing the same stuff.”

The entire sound and style of guitar playing transitioned when Mason took the stage as Dave Mason and not as Traffic.

The show consisted of fan favorites such as “We Just Disagree” and “Feelin’ Alright,” but what caught my eye was the soul behind his new tracks “Good 2 You,” which was rough and seductive.

“How Do I Get To Heaven” is a tribute to Traffic member Jim Capaldi.

Mason’s message at the end of the show: “Next time you go to Starbucks and order that frappe-mocha-whatever-the-hell, just remember that for a couple of bucks towards music last forever.”

And through Mason, it truly will.