"I consider myself a serious musician. Doing a comedy show does not take away from that in any way"
About this Quote
Kevin Eubanks stakes a claim for artistic integrity that is independent of venue and audience expectation. A virtuosic jazz guitarist who led The Tonight Show Band during Jay Lenos tenure, he pushes back against the reflexive hierarchy that equates solemnity with seriousness. The assumption he confronts is that comedy somehow cheapens art, that laughter and mass appeal dilute musicianship. He insists the opposite: the commitment that defines a serious musician lives in practice, listening, timing, tone, and the rigor of craft, not in the perceived prestige of the stage.
The late-night bandstand is a crucible for that rigor. It demands split-second cues, stylistic versatility, and the ability to support an ever-shifting flow of monologues, sketches, and guests. There is no margin for sloppiness; the camera hears everything. Eubanks role required deep preparation and live improvisational judgment on a national platform, skills nurtured over decades in jazz clubs and studios. Far from eroding his seriousness, the job showcased it in real time.
His stance also fits a broader artistic lineage. Duke Ellington wrote for revues, Louis Armstrong played with comic flair, and variety shows routinely featured first-rate players. Joy, wit, and play are not the enemies of depth. Jazz itself prizes swing and surprise, elements that rhyme with humor. The idea that gravity equals greatness is a narrow cultural script, often policed by gatekeepers anxious about purity.
Eubanks points to a healthier measure of value: does the music have integrity, and is the musician growing? By decoupling seriousness from dour presentation, he defends the legitimacy of crossing worlds, reaching wider audiences without apology. The platform may be a comedy show, but the work remains music at a high level. Rather than undermine his identity, that visibility amplifies it, inviting listeners who laugh at the jokes to hear the craft that carries the night.
The late-night bandstand is a crucible for that rigor. It demands split-second cues, stylistic versatility, and the ability to support an ever-shifting flow of monologues, sketches, and guests. There is no margin for sloppiness; the camera hears everything. Eubanks role required deep preparation and live improvisational judgment on a national platform, skills nurtured over decades in jazz clubs and studios. Far from eroding his seriousness, the job showcased it in real time.
His stance also fits a broader artistic lineage. Duke Ellington wrote for revues, Louis Armstrong played with comic flair, and variety shows routinely featured first-rate players. Joy, wit, and play are not the enemies of depth. Jazz itself prizes swing and surprise, elements that rhyme with humor. The idea that gravity equals greatness is a narrow cultural script, often policed by gatekeepers anxious about purity.
Eubanks points to a healthier measure of value: does the music have integrity, and is the musician growing? By decoupling seriousness from dour presentation, he defends the legitimacy of crossing worlds, reaching wider audiences without apology. The platform may be a comedy show, but the work remains music at a high level. Rather than undermine his identity, that visibility amplifies it, inviting listeners who laugh at the jokes to hear the craft that carries the night.
Quote Details
| Topic | Music |
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