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Kevin EubanksAmerican jazz musician
Date of Birth: 15.11.1957
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Kevin Eubanks: A Musical Legacy
- Professional Career
- Artistic Achievements
- Musical Style
- Vegetarianism
- Accolades and Recognition
Kevin Eubanks: A Musical Legacy
Early Life and Musical InfluencesKevin Tyrone Eubanks was born on November 15, 1957 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, into a musical family. His mother, Vera Eubanks, was a classical and church pianist and organist. His uncle, Ray Bryant, was a renowned jazz pianist. His older brother, Robin Eubanks, is a trombonist, and his younger brother, Duane, a trumpeter. Both his cousins were also musicians.
Before picking up the guitar, Kevin studied violin and trumpet. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and later moved to New York City to launch his professional career.
Professional Career
In New York, Eubanks played with renowned jazz musicians including Art Blakey (1980-81), Roy Haynes, Slide Hampton, and Sam Rivers. Like his brother Robin, he played with the celebrated bassist Dave Holland. In 1983, he formed his own quartet, performing in Jordan, Pakistan, and India on a tour sponsored by the U.S. State Department.
His debut recording as a solo guitarist was released by Elektra Records when Eubanks was twenty-five years old. This led to a contract and seven albums on GRP Records and four on Blue Note Records. In total, Eubanks has been featured on over one hundred albums. In 2001, he established his own label, Insoul Music, on which he has also released six albums.
Artistic Achievements
Eubanks has taught at the Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada, Rutgers University, and the Charlie Parker School in Perugia, Italy. In 2005, he received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College, his alma mater. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi (KAΨ), an African-American Greek-letter fraternity, and has been active on the BMI Foundation's Artistic Advisory Council since 1999. In 1995, he became the inaugural bandleader for "The Tonight Show."
Musical Style
Kevin Eubanks's playing style has been compared to that of early Jimmy Hendrix, Pat Metheny, and John McLaughlin, combining "sophisticated harmony with explosive finger-style technique." Eubanks's music encompasses a wide range of styles, from mellow jazz to electric fusion.
Vegetarianism
Eubanks is a vegetarian and advocates for a plant-based diet. He has stated, "I've been vegetarian for about twenty-five years now. I stopped eating meat for a funny reason. The food at college was just 'garbage'. And as my father said, 'It's cheaper to eat vegetables!'"
Accolades and Recognition
In 2007, Kevin Eubanks was named one of "PETA's Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrities."
