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Arts Magnifique! Highlights
Anne d'Harnoncourt Award for Artistic Excellence
Kevin Eubanks
A household name for late-night TV audiences, Kevin Eubanks led The Tonight Show band for 15 of his 18 years with the show, always with an appealing mix of affability and gifted musicianship.
His laidback style made him the perfect comic foil for Jay Leno, even as he was working on material and honing his band “after work” at Los Angeles’ famed Baked Potato Jazz Club.
The consummate guitarist and prolific composer reflects the musical energy and excellence of our region. And now his adventurous musical style is hitting the road again with a new CD, Zen Food. Released last fall, it debuted in the top five on the Billboard Magazine jazz chart and is Kevin's fastest selling record.
Trained in classical music, Kevin comes from a highly musical family who mostly still live in the region. Brothers Robin, a trombonist, and Duane, a trumpeter, each have achieved much acclaim, as have an uncle, Ray Bryant, a jazz and blues pianist, and Kevin’s mother, Vera, a pianist.
For 15 years prior to his coveted Burbanks gig, Kevin played with such icons as McCoy Tyner, Art Blakey, Roy Haynes, Dave Holland and Ron Carter. As he returns to recording and touring, he says, “Here’s something I’ve learned in Hollywood: ‘You just never know. The phone rings and, wow, really, a new adventure…’”
Presented by:
Anne d’Harnoncourt Award for Artistic Excellence
The Anne d’Harnoncourt Award for Artistic Excellence is bestowed upon an artist who has achieved national or worldwide acclaim, embodies artistic achievement and serves as an inspiration to the Greater Philadelphia Region both as an artist and a leader.
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Photographs by Flynn Photography |