Guitarist Kevin Eubanks Showcases Artistic Influences on 2nd Mack Avenue Records Release "The Messenger" + 2013 Tour Dates!
November 29, 2012 at 1:35 AM PRESS RELEASE
Album Features Eubanks' Working Quartet:
Billy Pierce, Rene Camacho, and Marvin "Smitty" Smith
Special Guest Appearances by Joey De Leon, Jr.,
Alvin Chea, and Brothers Robin & Duane Eubanks
With his second Mack Avenue Records release, The Messenger, acclaimed guitarist Kevin Eubanks continues to explore his own unique musical vision. This vision offers the listener an opportunity to share a musical journey that truly exemplifies where Eubanks is at this stage of his illustrious career; one that, for over three decades, has seen him incorporate into his creative process a willingness to embrace the broad spectrum of his musical experience, while continuing to seek out new vistas.
The Messenger is a project that reflects not only the guitarist's virtuosity on his instrument, but also his impressive compositional skills-writing all but two tracks. Best described simply as a "Kevin Eubanks" recording-without specific categorization-as his intent with The Messenger is to communicate the breadth of his artistic influences. "I wanted to branch out a little bit more on this recording," Eubanks states. "I didn't want to be as concerned with the 'jazz sound' as much; I wanted to let out a little bit more of what I've been musically exposed to." Eubanks compares this philosophy to sports: "It's like with professional athletes; most of those guys can play three or four sports. Society makes you choose one or the other. But that doesn't change who you are inside," or in Eubanks' case, preventing him from showcasing his versatility on this album.
