Kevin Mahogany
| Kevin Mahogany | |
|---|---|
 Jazz singer Kevin Mahogany at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Jazz Fest on March 4, 2007 | |
| Born |
July 30, 1958 Kansas City, Missouri |
Kevin Mahogany (born July 30, 1958,[1] in Kansas City, Missouri) is an American jazz vocalist who became prominent in the 1990s. He is known for his scat singing,[2] and his singing style has been compared with jazz singers Joe Williams[3] and Johnny Hartman.[4]
Early years
Kevin Mahogany began his study of music as a child with piano and later learned to play the clarinet and baritone saxophone, performing with jazz bands and teaching music while still in high school. "When I was a kid, music was just as important as English and math in our household" says Mahogany. "In fact piano lessons were a grade school staple for the whole family."[5] Mahogany attended Baker University, where he performed with both instrumental and vocal ensembles and formed a vocal jazz group. In 1981, Mahogany received his BFA in Music and English Drama.
Performing
After graduation, he returned to Kansas City where he attracted a local following in the 1980s performing with his groups, "The Apollos" and "Mahogany." In 1991, he was featured on a CD by Frank Mantooth.[6]
His first CD release as a solo artist was Double Rainbow in 1993. This was followed by the self-titled album Kevin Mahogany, which won him his first critical acclaim in the media, prompting Newsweek to call Mahogany "the standout jazz vocalist of his generation."[7]
Mahogany appeared in Robert Altman's 1996 film Kansas City, playing a character said to be based on Kansas City singer Big Joe Turner.[8]
Kevin Mahogany lists his vocal influences as Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Al Jarreau and Eddie Jefferson.[9] As a jazz educator, Mahogany has taught at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and the University of Miami.[10]
Discography
With Enja Records:
- Double Rainbow (1993)
- Songs and Moments (1994)
- You Got What It Takes (1995)
- Pussy Cat Dues (2000)
With Warner Bros.:
- Kevin Mahogany (1996)
- Another Time Another Place (1997)
- My Romance (1998)
- Portrait of Kevin Mahogany (2000)
With Telarc:
- Pride and Joy (2002)
With Jazz Empress
- Warming Up Kansas City (2003)
Under his own label, Mahogany Music:
- Big Band (2004)
- To Johnny Hartman (2004)
With Elvin Jones
- It Don't Mean a Thing (Enja, 1993)
References
- ↑ "Kevin Mahogany biography". Richard De La Font Agency.
- ↑ Enja Records. "Kevin Mahogany biography".
- ↑ Scott Yanow. "Kevin Mahogany biography". Allmusic.
- ↑ Dan Emerson. "Mahogany's tribute does justice to Kansas City jazz". Pioneer Press.
- ↑ "Minnesota State University Mankato Past JazzFest Events". Minnesota State University. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
- ↑ Kevin Mahogany. "Kevin Mahogany biography".
- ↑ Kevin Mahogany. "Kevin Mahogany biography".
- ↑ "Kevin Mahogany". All About Jazz.
- ↑ Kevin Mahogany. "Kevin Mahogany biography".
- ↑ Jim Newsom. "Kevin Mahogany: An Independent Voice". Portfolio Weekly.
External links
- "Master vocalist makes his Nashville debut". The City Paper. 2006-05-26.
- "Kevin Mahogany's official biography". Retrieved 2008-07-30.
- "Kevin Mahogany biography". Telarc International Corporation label. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
- "Kevin Mahogany biography". Enja Records. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
- "Kevin Mahogany biography". Hopper Management Agency. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
- "Mahogany's tribute does justice to Kansas City jazz". Pioneer Press. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
- "Minnesota State University Mankato Past JazzFest Events". Minnesota State University. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
- "Art of Jazz Celebration Review". JazzElements.com blog. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
- Jim Newsom. "Kevin Mahogany: An Independent Voice". Portfolio Weekly. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
- Kevin Mahogany's official site
- Hopper Management Agency
- Richard De La Font Agency, Inc.
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