Kevin Eubanks has been a head-turning jazz guitarist since his debut album, Guitarist, almost 35 years ago. His new release, East West Time Line, is the latest in a series of self-assured statements since he walked away from his job as leader of the Tonight Show Band, in 2010.
The album features two high-test ensembles, and Eubanks appeared with one of them — featuring bassist Dave Holland, trumpeter Nicholas Payton and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts — at Birdland last month.
While he was in town, Eubanks stopped by Morning Jazz to chat with Gary Walker, guitar in hand. Among the songs he performed were the standards "My One and Only Love" and "Summertime"; a couple of original compositions, "Adoration" and "Time Line"; and an improvisation he titled "Joyful."