Kevin Eubanks leaving 'Tonight'

[DToTheJ]

Wasn't that the excuse they used for Branford Marsalis.... He's taking a break. Last I checked he is still on that break!!!

Remember that song back in the early 90's he had a cameo in, by an artist called Shanice? I could be wrong, but I think both of them are on break together!

 

[LKellerIII]

Wasn't that the excuse they used for Branford Marsalis.... He's taking a break. Last I checked he is still on that break!!!

Remember that song back in the early 90's he had a cameo in, by an artist called Shanice? I could be wrong, but I think both of them are on break together!

Not being a Leno fan, I don't recall Branford's reason for leaving. But we all know he's from a distinguished family of musicians. AGAIN - somewhat like Eubanks, he probably made a lot of money from Tonight, decided to take a "break" at first, but then decided he had the financial freedom (probably the richest person in the Marsalis family by then) to move on and play some "serious" music again, like brother Wynton.

Not everybody cares about fame - he had gained a lot of musical respect with his quartet prior to the Tonight gig - maybe he preferred that life.

 

[1069_KIFR]

The best I remember, Leno assured Branford that he would have the freedom to play his music. After a couple of months or so, the NBC suits started restricting his play list and added other music they wanted him to play. Feeling stifled and becoming very unhappy, he made his exit.

The on air 'excuse' for his absence was that he was taking a break. Nothing was ever said after that. Kevin Eubanks, (Bob Eubanks long lost son?) Slid into the role and never looked back.

 

[MsMusicRadio]

Bruce Hornsby

 

[Skynet74]

I'm always surprised when people post comments like this, and don't understand why TV celebrities decide to move on. Being on TV in a major role, like Kevin Eubanks in his role for Jay Leno - means that he has made some MAJOR MONEY over the last however many years he's been bandleader.

If he's no longer enjoying the role, he has the financial freedom to move on and try something new. If his career tanks, he can stay home and enjoy a luxurious early retirement. At the worst, he can play some gigs and only play the music he likes.

Come on - regular middle class people take career chances all the time, when they are actually taking a big gamble on their financial future. Why is it so amazing when a rich celebrity does it?

I'm all for taking chances. But in the instance of Late Night talk shows, the ones who have tried to go onto bigger and better things have had some really bad luck! How about keeping the steady gig while still doing other things on the side. Ed McMahon was a perfect example of someone who knew how to do just that. Others should have followed his example. He always had at least one gig to keep him in the spotlight. That was the smart thing to do.

 

[michiana_media]

Video of Jay's first night at host of the Tonight show, introducing Branford and the band... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89tEVIM3cr0

Branford's last night on the tonight show...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=311CwQJAwg0

 

[LKellerIII]

I'm always surprised when people post comments like this, and don't understand why TV celebrities decide to move on. Being on TV in a major role, like Kevin Eubanks in his role for Jay Leno - means that he has made some MAJOR MONEY over the last however many years he's been bandleader.

If he's no longer enjoying the role, he has the financial freedom to move on and try something new. If his career tanks, he can stay home and enjoy a luxurious early retirement. At the worst, he can play some gigs and only play the music he likes.

Come on - regular middle class people take career chances all the time, when they are actually taking a big gamble on their financial future. Why is it so amazing when a rich celebrity does it?

I'm all for taking chances. But in the instance of Late Night talk shows, the ones who have tried to go onto bigger and better things have had some really bad luck! How about keeping the steady gig while still doing other things on the side. Ed McMahon was a perfect example of someone who knew how to do just that. Others should have followed his example. He always had at least one gig to keep him in the spotlight. That was the smart thing to do.

Ed McMahon was a TV personality and video salesman. That was his talent. Marsalis and Eubanks (Kevin, not Bob...OK KIFR?) are musicians - that is their talent. Some straddle both worlds really well, like Doc Severinsen. Others do OK, like Paul Schaffer. Marsalis in particular always seemed a bit uncomfortable in the TV role.

As an analogy - during Conan's run (Late Night & Tonight) would anybody have been surprised if Max Weinberg had left Conan permanently for Springsteen and the E Street Band? Don't think so. Jazz isn't as popular, so jazz artists don't get as much publicity. But that doesn't mean they don't prefer being full-time musicians...especially when they have all that TV money to keep them warm during lean times.

I can see how having to play little segments of pop hits and TV theme songs for only 3 minutes during commercial breaks would get old after awhile.

 

[imhomerjay]

I'm all for taking chances. But in the instance of Late Night talk shows, the ones who have tried to go onto bigger and better things have had some really bad luck! How about keeping the steady gig while still doing other things on the side. Ed McMahon was a perfect example of someone who knew how to do just that. Others should have followed his example. He always had at least one gig to keep him in the spotlight. That was the smart thing to do.

"Bigger and better" isn't necessarily the same as doing what you want to do. Sometimes one can be more satisfied doing what you're passionate about even if the spotlight isn't so bright. There are more ways to measure success than just dollars and cents. There's no reason anyone should or shouldn't follow anyone else's lead--what worked for one person may not work for another, and neither one is right or wrong. (Being "in the spotlight" may not be the be all and end all for everyone, hard as it seems to be to believe.)

 

[LKellerIII]

"Bigger and better" isn't necessarily the same as doing what you want to do. Sometimes one can be more satisfied doing what you're passionate about even if the spotlight isn't so bright. There are more ways to measure success than just dollars and cents. There's no reason anyone should or shouldn't follow anyone else's lead--what worked for one person may not work for another, and neither one is right or wrong. (Being "in the spotlight" may not be the be all and end all for everyone, hard as it seems to be to believe.)

Exactly. Kathryn Grayson died today at age 88. She was a big musical star in the 1940s and 50s. When the popularity of musicals waned in the late 50s, she retired - in her late 30s. She was still in demand, and she would occasionally do a guest shot in episodic TV or a short stint on stage, or even the occasional singing engagement. Though many women in that era - even actresses - retired at the request of their husbands to care for their families - that wasn't true in her case. She was twice divorced, with one child.

She was one celebrity who apparently didn't need the limelight to be happy. It's not that uncommon.

 

[imhomerjay]

Definitely--not uncommon at all. There are many "former" celebrities who find other things to do with their lives outside of the spotlight. Sometimes it may be in part because the jobs dried up, sometimes simply because they want to do something else. Why should Eubanks keep the Tonight gig if what he wants is to move on and try his hand at something new?

 

[Skynet74]

Why should Eubanks keep the Tonight gig if what he wants is to move on and try his hand at something new?

So he'll still have a job when the something else he wants to try doesn't work out. He should really sit down and talk to Andy Richter and Edd Hall about this before he goes anywhere. ;D

 

[imhomerjay]

: Uh huh, because we all know the only way we can judge if something "worked out" is by Hollywood standards. Because everyone craves the limelight forever, I'm sure.

 

[Carmine5]

I have never been a big fan of "sidekicks" like Eubanks or Paul Shaffer. To be honest, I have never seen a good musician who is also witty and quick on his feet. Maybe there's a reason why. Anyway, I hope he lands on his feet and gets a decent gig elsewhere - if in fact he's leaving for good.

Agreed. Eubanks stepping on Jay's monolog by interjecting his own comments is annoying and I think really throws Jay's timing off. Let Leno do what he does best, comedy, and let Eubanks do what he does best--playing riffs and collecting a fat paycheck.

c5