He’s a Philadelphia native. There is a lot of music legacy packed into that birthright. A city steeped in music traditions and many favorite sons and daughters of the artform, performers, producers and hitmakers. The name is familiar from his stint helming the Tonight Show band when the program was hosted by Jay Leno.
He was surrounded by music in his family with he and his two brothers playing instruments, one the trumpet, and the other the trombone. Jazz piano player, composer, and arranger, Ray Bryant, was his late uncle. Kevin’s mom was a pianist and organist playing gospel, and classical music and taught music privately and in the school system.
Music education is a big deal with Eubanks. One brother is on the faculty at Oberlin College. As an educator, Kevin has shared his artistry far and wide including being Artistic Director of the Jazz In The Classroom program for The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in Los Angeles, working with middle and high school aged musicians. In his words: “Young people need to be able to express themselves in ways that educate, uplift, and inspire self-confidence”. He has also taught at the Banff School of Fine Arts, and in Italy at the Charlie Parker School.
He is an adventure-taking, boundary-defying, jazz guitarist. The spirit is in the share, it’s in the delivery, and he delivers directly from his soul.