Kevin Eubanks

An accomplished guitarist inclined toward modern jazz, Kevin Eubanks rose to prominence directing the Tonight Show Band throughout Jay Leno’s time as host. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, welcomed his arrival in 1957; he matured amid a household steeped in music beside older brother and trombonist Robin and younger brother and trumpeter Duane, while pianist Ray Bryant served as his uncle. By his teenage years he already displayed notable skill, prompting formal studies at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. Upon completion of his coursework he performed alongside drummer Roy Haynes and saxophonist Sam Rivers, and he belonged to Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers between 1980 and 1981. His first solo album, Guitarist, appeared on Elektra in 1982. He next joined the GRP roster, issuing seven recordings that began with 1984’s Sundance and concluded with 1989’s Promise of Tomorrow.

The move to Blue Note yielded further projects such as 1992’s Turning Point, 1993’s Spiritalk, 1994’s Spiritalk 2, and 1994’s Live at Bradley’s. That same year he entered the Tonight Show orbit as a member of bandleader Branford Marsalis’s ensemble; when Marsalis departed in 1995, Eubanks assumed leadership. His easy rapport and witty exchanges with Leno soon rendered the guitarist a familiar presence to viewers. Although the Tonight Show Band occupied most of his attention, he still found time to issue several recordings on his own Insoul imprint. In 2009 he accompanied Leno to helm the Primetime Band for NBC’s brief The Jay Leno Show.

Eubanks exited The Tonight Show in 2010, soon after Leno resumed hosting duties there. That year Mack Avenue Records released his album Zen Food; two years later his second Mack Avenue outing, the stylistically eclectic The Messenger, followed. He then teamed with fellow guitarist and pianist Stanley Jordan for the wide-ranging 2015 covers collection Duets. Two years afterward came the expansive East West Time Line, which included contributions from saxophonist Bill Pierce, drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts, bassist Dave Holland, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, and additional musicians.