Kevin Eubanks’ childhood
Kevin Eubanks was born on November 15, 1957 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the ninth child of jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan and jazz singer Sarah Vaughan. Kevin Eubanks was exposed to music from an early age, and began playing guitar at the age of seven. In 1974, he attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, then went on to study at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. After graduating in 1978, Kevin Eubanks moved to New York to begin his musical career.
Kevin Eubanks’ career
Over the course of his career, Kevin Eubanks has played with many renowned jazz artists, including Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner and Wynton Marsalis. In 1981, he joined NBC’s Tonight Show Band, directed by Doc Severinsen. He stayed with the Tonight Show Band for 15 years, until he left the show in 1996. After leaving the Tonight Show, Kevin Eubanks began to focus more on his jazz career, releasing several solo albums. In 2010, he was named musical director of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and held the position until 2014.
Kevin Eubanks’ discography
To date, Kevin Eubanks has released 17 solo albums. His first album, Revelations, was voted best jazz album of the year by Guitar Player magazine in 1984. In 1987, Kevin Eubanks released the album The Heat of Heat, which was voted number one jazz album of the year by Downbeat magazine. In 1989, Kevin Eubanks released the album Face to Face, which was ranked number two among the best jazz albums of the year by Downbeat magazine. In 1991, Kevin Eubanks released the album The Searcher, which was ranked number three among the best jazz albums of the year by Downbeat magazine. In 1995, Kevin Eubanks released the album The Messenger, which was ranked number one among the best jazz albums of the year by Downbeat magazine. In 2001, Kevin Eubanks released the album East West Time Line, which was ranked number two among the best jazz albums of the year by Downbeat magazine. In 2009, Kevin Eubanks released the album The New Standard, which was ranked number one among the best jazz albums of the year by Downbeat magazine.
Kevin Eubanks’ private life
Kevin Eubanks is married to Gabrielle Cadet-Eubanks, with whom he has two children. He currently lives in New York.
Kevin Eubanks’ awards
To date, Kevin Eubanks has won two Grammy Awards, in 1990 and 1991, and was named “Guitarist of the Year” by Guitar Player magazine in 1984, 1985 and 1986. In addition, Kevin Eubanks was named “Musical Director of the Year” by Downbeat magazine in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994.<