“Let your life be your music and let your music be your life.”
– Kevin Eubanks
Kevin Tyrone Eubanks (born November 15, 1957 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American jazz and fusion guitarist and composer who was the leader of “The Tonight Show Band” with host Jay Leno from 1995 to 2010. He also led The Primetime Band on the short-lived The Jay Leno Show.
Eubanks was born into a musical family. His mother, Vera Eubanks, is a gospel and classical pianist and organist. His uncle, Ray Bryant, was a jazz pianist. His older brother, Robin Eubanks, is a trombonist, and his younger brother Duane Eubanks is a trumpeter. Two cousins are also musicians, the late bassist David Eubanks and the pianist Charles Eubanks. Kevin studied violin and trumpet, before settling on the guitar.
After Eubanks moved to New York, he began performing with noted jazzmen such as Art Blakey (1980–81), Roy Haynes, Slide Hampton and Sam Rivers.
I have been a fan of Kevin Eubanks since early 80´s and hope that you will like the different sides of his music and musicanship in the examples below.
Enjoy!
Robin Eubanks & Kevin Eubanks – Live at Antibes (24 July, 1980)
Kevin Eubanks – “The Sundance Began” from the album “Sundance” (1984)
Musicians are; Kevin Eubanks (g), Tommy Campbell (dr), Baron Browne (b), Gerry Etkins (keyb)
Kevin Eubanks Trio – Live at Gene Harris Jazz Fest (2002)
Kevin Eubanks – Acoustic Guitar Improvisation (2008)
Kevin Eubanks featuring Len Bryant – “Everyday I Have The Blues” (2009)
Musicians are; Kevin Eubanks (g), Bill Pierce (ts), Gerry “Dr J” Etkins (keyb), Rene Camacho (b), Marvin “Smitty” Smith (dr), Len Bryant (voc)
Kevin Eubanks – Live (2011)
Kevin Eubanks – “The Messenger” from “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (2013)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMcCrSFhOPc