Kevin Eubanks

Kevin Eubanks is a guitarist and prolific composer. He is well known by many as the former Music Director of The Tonight Show band, appearing on the show 18 years (1992 - 2010). As one of the most accomplished guitarists of his or any generation, Eubanks has deservedly become known to millions through music and TV.

Kevin moved to New York after attending Berklee College of Music where his career kicked off in earnest. He started playing with some of the greats of Jazz, including Art Blakey, Slide Hampton, McCoy Tyner, Sam Rivers, Roy Haynes, Dave Holland, Ron Carter and others. In addition to working in other bands, Kevin become the leader of his own group and traveled to Jordan, Pakistan, India and Kuwait on tours sponsored by the US State Department, not to mention the European/Japanese Jazz circuit which so many artists frequent.

In 1992, Kevin moved to the West Coast to join The Tonight Show Band featuring Jay Leno. In 1995, Kevin was asked the lead the band. His versatility and open-minded approach enabled him to write and choose music that satisfied the huge and varied audience for the show. He assumed the role as Leno’s sidekick, sometimes participating in skits, and his engaging personality, as well as his musicianship, drew attention. The position afforded Kevin the opportunity to work with great and popular musicians from all genres. As a result of living close to LA, Kevin has become involved in writing scores for both TV movies and full-length independent feature films.

A strong advocate for music education, Kevin served as the Artistic Director of the Jazz In The Classroom Program for The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz from 2010 - 2012, where he worked with young up-and-coming middle and high school musicians in the Los Angeles public schools. He also hosted the 2013 NEA Foundation Gala. He has taught at the Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp, the Banff School of Fine Arts in Canada, Rutgers University, and at the Charlie Parker School in Perugia, Italy as well as hosting master classes at many colleges and universities.

He loves to do volunteer work for charities and maintains an active relationship with the organization dearest to his heart, The Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. He has appeared on various TV shows from Hollywood Squares to VIP to Girlfriends, Days of Our Lives, Royal Pains, HGTV, Oprah’s OWN, The History Channel, to name a few. But his passion is clearly seen when he is on stage performing as he continues to embrace his true passion, the love of music.

In November, 2010, Kevin released the CD Zen Food that debuted in the Top Five on the Billboard Jazz Chart and was Kevin’s fastest-selling record ever. In February, 2013 his CD The Messenger was released, garnering a 2014 NAACP Image Award nomination for “Outstanding Jazz Album.” In addition to club/concert touring Kevin has begun presenting at conferences around the country not only as a musician but also as a motivational speaker to people of all ages.