Kevin Eubanks - Zen Food - Music & Performance - CD

Guitarist Kevin Eubanks held one of the most coveted chairs in television for nearly 18 years as the leader of the TONIGHT SHOW band, when his muse struck and prompted him to take his axe and move on. Kevin surely did not idle away what little free time he had during that tenure, touring everywhere in the country and world where time permitted him. Before taking the TV slot that boasted talents like Bradford Marsalis and the venerated Doc Severinsen, Kevin had an acclaimed recording career spanning several labels garnering many awards and a host of followers along the way. This release finds him in the company of his favorite players, most of whom can be found jamming with him at L.A's famed Baked Potato. Run, don't walk, to the nearest player and check out "Spider Monkey Cafe," "The Dirty Monk" and more sizzlin' six-string songs.

Kevin Eubanks didn't do much recording as a leader during his 18 years as Jay Leno's music director on The Tonight Show, though Zen Food was taped shortly before the guitarist announced his departure from his long-running gig. Eubanks is accompanied by veteran saxophonist Bill Pierce (heard on both tenor and soprano), drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith, keyboardist Gerry Etkins, and bassist Rene Camacho. Eubanks' opener, "The Dancing Sea," signals the diversity of his long-awaited CD, leading off with an intricate, infectious theme over a contemporary Latin rhythm, though the guitarist ends up playing a very heated solo, buoyed by Etkins' electric piano and Smith's powerful drumming, while showcasing Pierce's lyrical soprano sax. He switches to acoustic guitar for "Adoration" (which is derived in part from the centuries-old hymn "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty"), creating an intimate yet lively duet with Etkins' Fender Rhodes. Eubanks' breezy bop vehicle "6/8" is launched with the guitarist's hot riff accompanied solely by Pierce's equally hot tenor sax, with the intensity building as Etkins' funky organ enters with the rhythm section. Eubanks also proves himself as a ballad master with the whispering ballad "I Remember Loving You." Kevin Eubanks will satisfy jazz fans with his delicious Zen Food. ~ Ken Dryden, Rovi

Performer	Kevin Eubanks
Music genre	Jazz
Music subgenre	CD - JAZZ
Music release type	Release
Media format	CD
Original release date	2010
Edition	Standard
Language	English
Is collectible	Y
Has parental advisory label	N
Number of discs	1
Series title	Kevin Eubanks - Zen Food [CD]
Track listing	The Dancing Sea, Spider Monkey Caf, The Dirty Monk, Adoration, Los Angeles, I Remember Loving You, 6/8, G.G, Offering, Das It
Record label	Mack Avenue
Track name	Spider Monkey Cafe
Music media format	CD
Is edited	N
Is enhanced	N