Guitarist KEVIN EUBANKS Showcases Breadth of Artistic Influences on New Mack Avenue Records Release, “The Messenger,” Available February 19

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Alvin Chea, Bill Pierce, Composer, Duane Eubanks, Guitarist, Joey De Leon, Kevin Eubanks, Mack Avenue Records, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Producer, Rene Camacho, Robin Eubanks

Kevin Eubanks, THE MESSENGER

Album Features Eubanks’ Working Quartet:
Billy Pierce, Rene Camacho, and Marvin “Smitty” Smith

Special Guest Appearances by Joey De Leon, Jr.,
Alvin Chea, and Brothers Robin & Duane Eubanks

::: Stream Tracks From THE MESSENGER :::

With his second Mack Avenue Records release, The Messenger, acclaimed guitarist Kevin Eubanks continues to explore his own unique musical vision. This vision offers the listener an opportunity to share a musical journey that truly exemplifies where Eubanks is at this stage of his illustrious career; one that, for over three decades, has seen him incorporate into his creative process a willingness to embrace the broad spectrum of his musical experience, while continuing to seek out new vistas.

Kevin Eubanks -][- Zen Food [On Mack Avenue Records – 11/23/2010]

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African American, Guitar, Jazz, Kevin Eubanks

GUITARIST KEVIN EUBANKS – ZEN FOOD,
SET FOR NOVEMBER 23 RELEASE ON MACK AVENUE RECORDS

KEVIN EUBANKS - ZEN FOOD (Mack Avenue Debut)

Kevin Eubanks -][- Zen Food – [Mack Avenue Records, 11/23/2010]

For nearly two decades, the world at large knew precisely where to find the acclaimed guitarist Kevin Eubanks. For five nights a week, Eubanks was cranking up the band and issuing steamy solos as music director on NBC’s “Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” In spring of 2010, after 18 years on the job, Eubanks decided to move on, although retirement was the last thing on his mind. That much is clearly stated in potent musical terms on Zen Food, his first recording for the Mack Avenue label.

ALBUM SERVES AS HIS LABEL DEBUT AND
FIRST PROJECT SINCE DEPARTING THE TONIGHT SHOW
Listen to an exclusive streaming track from the album

Zen Food is a statement of purpose for a guitarist who, in the 15 years before landing his coveted gig in Burbank, built a reputation as one of the more adventurous and anti-ism guitarists. In fact, Eubanks has been tending his personal musical muse for years, working on material and honing his band in Los Angeles–“after work” at the famed Baked Potato.

Kevin Eubanks Signs with Mack Avenue Records

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African American, Guitar, Jazz, Kevin Eubanks

Kevin Eubanks (Photo Credit: Raj Naik)

Mack Avenue Records is proud to announce the signing of guitarist Kevin Eubanks. The former leader of the Tonight Show Band is set to release Zen Food on November 23, his debut for the label and first project since his Tonight Show departure.

“It’s so refreshing to find a record label that feels ‘right’ from so many aspects,” reflects Eubanks, who completed his final and 18th season of The Tonight Show in May. “Mack Avenue Records is the company I’ve been hoping to find to release the music I’ve been wanting to play.”

“When Kevin first announced that he was departing the Tonight Show with a desire to record and tour again I knew he would be an ideal artist for us,” says Mack Avenue Records President Denny Stilwell. “He is a musician of uncompromising artistry who has chosen an opportune moment to re-establish his roots in jazz and Mack Avenue is honored to be working with him.”

Over the course of his 30-year career, Eubanks has performed with esteemed musicians such as Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Roy Haynes, Slide Hampton, Sam Rivers, Dave Holland, Greg Osby, and Jean Luc Ponty, among others. In 1992 Eubanks moved to the West Coast to assume the guitar spot in the Tonight Show Band and become the band’s leader from 1995 – 2010.

Hailing from a musical family- with distinguished uncles, pianist Ray Bryant and bassist Tommy Bryant, and brothers, trombonist Robin Eubanks and trumpeter Duane Eubanks- the Philadelphia native and Berklee College of Music alumni has appeared on over 100 albums, with releases on Elektra, GRP and Blue Note; as well as founding his own record label, Insoul Music.

..:: Source: DL Media ::..

Kevin Eubanks | FACE TO FACE

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African American, Contemporary Jazz, Guitar, Kevin Eubanks

Kevin Eubanks

Kevin Eubanks | FACE TO FACE [Contemporary Jazz/GRP Records/1986]

The beauty about listening to jazz is you can always go back and reflect on a particular recording and bring it into forefront of your current space and enjoy it as if it were the first time you heard it. Ironically, today I revisited one of my all-time records by guitarist Kevin Eubanks and his wonderful recording titled “FACE TO FACE,” recorded in 1986 on GRP Records produced by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen.