Kevin Eubanks on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno"
Kevin Eubanks, one of the most prolific jazz guitarists in the country, has been a key member of "The Tonight Show" band since the program premiered in May 1992, and he wrote the show's closing theme song, "Kevin's Country."
In addition to his television work, Kevin Eubanks has released "Live at Bradley's," the 12th album in his 17-year recording career (not including a greatest hits collection), on which he collaborated with James Williams (piano) and Robert Hurst (bass) in a spontaneous, nowhere-to-hide trio format. The album was produced by Kevin Eubanks and Michael Cuscuan from 1994 performance.
Kevin Eubanks also scored the HBO Pictures presentation, "Rebound," directed by "ER's" Eriq La Salle and composed the score for the five-part PBS documentary series, "Black Westerners," which traces the story for African-American leaders, heroes and others who lived in the old West.
In addition, Kevin Eubanks grew up in Philadelphia, where he began studying the violin at the age of 7 and later became proficient on the piano and trumpet, as well. Kevin Eubanks recalls falling in love with the guitar at a memorable James Brown concert he attended at age 12 and afterward, when he told his parents he would like to add guitar to his repertoire, they were less than excited and turned down his request for lessons. Undaunted, Kevin Eubanks acquired a guitar and began teaching himself.
Kevin Eubanks has toured extensively and recorded with many top jazz artists, including Branford Marsalis. With his own group, Kevin Eubanks recorded "Opening Nights," featuring Marsalis and Buster Williams, and "Face to Face," featuring Dave Grusin and Ron Carter. Kevin Eubanks' 1988 album, "Shadow Prophets," received more radio airplay than any other jazz recording that year. His most recent album, "Spiritalk 2, Revelations," a followup to last year's "Spirit Talk," is a collection of adventurous jazz pieces representing a significant surge of the music's evolution and the momentum of Kevin Eubanks' career.
Kevin Eubanks lists Wes Montgomery, John McLaughlin and Jimi Hendrix as his major musical influences. Kevin Eubanks attended Boston's Berklee College of Music.