For millions of people across the U.S. and abroad, Kevin Eubanks will always be associated with The Tonight Show band, after his 18 years alongside Jay Leno. But for those who have followed Eubanks' career off the set, where he has been a highly prolific composer and recording artist, it's his work as a guitarist that makes him memorable. Sure, his infectious laughter and banter with Jay Leno was fun to watch night after night, but six-stringers in the audience would look forward to the commercial lead-ins, when Eubanks would strut his stuff on his custom Rivera guitar.
While many miss Eubanks, after he left the show in May 2010, fans of his music are no doubt looking forward to the future as the guitarist can now spend more time writing, recording and taking his band on the road. Wasting little time after leaving The Tonight Show, Eubanks has already recorded his first post-Leno album, Zen Food (Mack Avenue Records, 2010). The record finds Eubanks in familiar company, with drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith, saxophonist Bill Pierce, keyboardist Gerry Etkins and bassist Rene Camacho. The record is full of melody driven, hard groovin' tunes that put the focus on all of the elements that make Eubanks one of the top guitarist of any genre on the scene today.
All About Jazz's resident guitar expert, Matthew Warnock, spoke at length with Eubanks, about Zen Food. the importance of touch and approach over guitars and amps when developing a voice, and the challenges of being an independent musician in today's changing landscape. Read about all this and more in Matthew's informative interview, Kevin Eubanks: Refocusing and Looking Forward, published today at All About Jazz.
But there's more. To celebrate the release of Zen Food, All About Jazz is bringing you even more extensive coverage, including:
While many miss Eubanks, after he left the show in May 2010, fans of his music are no doubt looking forward to the future as the guitarist can now spend more time writing, recording and taking his band on the road. Wasting little time after leaving The Tonight Show, Eubanks has already recorded his first post-Leno album, Zen Food (Mack Avenue Records, 2010). The record finds Eubanks in familiar company, with drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith, saxophonist Bill Pierce, keyboardist Gerry Etkins and bassist Rene Camacho. The record is full of melody driven, hard groovin' tunes that put the focus on all of the elements that make Eubanks one of the top guitarist of any genre on the scene today.
All About Jazz's resident guitar expert, Matthew Warnock, spoke at length with Eubanks, about Zen Food. the importance of touch and approach over guitars and amps when developing a voice, and the challenges of being an independent musician in today's changing landscape. Read about all this and more in Matthew's informative interview, Kevin Eubanks: Refocusing and Looking Forward, published today at All About Jazz.
But there's more. To celebrate the release of Zen Food, All About Jazz is bringing you even more extensive coverage, including:
- Read AAJ contributor Mark F. Turner's insightful CD Review of Zen Food, also published today;
- Download “The Dancing Sea,", the opening track on Zen Food, Today's Free MP3;
- Watch Eubanks in an electrifying clinic performance, also featuring drummer Marvin “Smitty" Smith, Today's Video.
All About Jazz is committed to bringing you the most extensive coverage anywhere surrounding new releases, so be sure to check out all the buzz surrounding Kevin Eubanks and Zen Food at All About Jazz today!
For more information contact All About Jazz.
