Kevin Mahogany
Kevin Mahogany | |
|---|---|
 Mahogany at theUniversity of Wisconsin–Eau ClaireJazz Festival, 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kevin Bryant Mahogany |
| Born | July 30, 1958 Kansas City, Missouri,U.S. |
| Died | December 17, 2017(aged 59) Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Vocalist |
| Website | kevinmahogany |
Kevin Bryant Mahogany(July 30, 1958 – December 17, 2017) was an Americanjazz vocalistwho became prominent in the 1990s. Particularly known for hisscat singing,his singing style has been compared with those ofBilly Eckstine,Joe Williams[1]andJohnny Hartman.[2]
Early years[edit]
Mahogany began his study of music as a child withpianoand later learned to play theclarinetandbaritone saxophone,performing withjazz bandsand teaching music while still in high school.[3]He said, "When I was a kid, music was just as important as English and math in our household... Piano lessons were a grade school staple for the whole family."[4]He attendedBaker University,where he performed with instrumental and vocal ensembles and formed a vocal jazz group. In 1981, he received his BFA in music and English drama.
Performing[edit]
After graduating, Mahogany returned toKansas City,where he attracted a local following in the 1980s performing with his groups "The Apollos" and "Mahogany". In 1995 he was featured on a CD byFrank Mantooth.[5]
Mahogany's first CD as a solo artist wasDouble Rainbow(1993). It was followed by the albumKevin Mahogany(1996), which gained positive attention in the media, and promptedNewsweekto call Mahogany "the standout jazz vocalist of his generation."[5]
Mahogany appeared inRobert Altman's filmKansas City(1996), playing a character said to be based on Kansas City singerBig Joe Turner.[6]
In 1997, Mahogany was featured on the soundtrack toMidnight in the Garden of Good and Evilsinging "Laura", written byJohnny Mercer.
He has listed his vocal influences asLambert, Hendricks and Ross,Al JarreauandEddie Jefferson.[5]He has taught at theBerklee College of MusicinBostonand theUniversity of Miami.[7]
In 2016, he was featured on the track "Special Girl" on the CDBang & Classicby Polish rapperBosski Roman.[8]
Death[edit]
Mahogany died on December 17, 2017, from the effects of diabetes. He was 59.[3][9][10]
Discography[edit]
As leader[edit]
- Double Rainbow(Enja, 1993)
- Songs and Moments(Enja, 1994)
- You Got What It Takes(Enja, 1995)
- Kevin Mahogany(Warner Bros., 1996)
- Another Time Another Place(Warner Bros., 1997)
- My Romance(Warner Bros., 1998)
- Pussy Cat Dues: The Music of Charles Mingus(Enja, 2000)
- Pride & Joy(Telarc, 2002)
- Big Band(Zebra, 2005)
- The Vienna Affair(Cracked AnEgg, 2015)
As sideman[edit]
- Monty Alexander,My America(Telarc, 2002)
- Cheryl Bentyne,Moonlight Serenade(King [jp], 2003)
- Ray Brown,Some of My Best Friends Are...Singers(Telarc, 1998)
- Elvin Jones,It Don't Mean a Thing(Enja, 1993)
- Tony Lakatos,The Coltrane Hartman Fantasy Vol. 1(Skip, 2010)
- Frank Mantooth,Sophisticated Lady(Sea Breeze, 1995)
- T. S. Monk,Monk on Monk(N2K Encoded, 1991)
- Marlena Shaw,Dangerous(Concord Jazz, 1996)
- Roseanna Vitro,Passion Dance(Telarc, 1996)
References[edit]
- ^Yanow, Scott."Kevin Mahogany Biography".AllMusic.All Media Network.RetrievedDecember 19,2017.
- ^Emerson, Dan (July 21, 2008)."Mahogany's tribute does justice to Kansas City jazz".St. Paul Pioneer Press.
- ^abRussonello, Giovanni (December 19, 2017)."Kevin Mahogany, Masterly Jazz Singer, Is Dead at 59".The New York Times.
- ^"Visiting Guest Artist - Kevin Mahogany".Minnesota State University, Mankato.RetrievedDecember 19,2017.
- ^abc"Kevin Mahogany Biography".Kevinmahogany.RetrievedDecember 19,2017.
- ^Kohlhaase, Bill (January 25, 1999)."Sensitive Side Is One of Many Mahogany Modes".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedDecember 18,2017.
- ^Newsom, Jim (November 2, 2004)."Kevin Mahogany: An Independent Voice".Port Folio Weekly.
- ^Bosski DM Firma (2016-03-08),Bosski ft.Kevin Mahogany&Sonia Lachowolska "Special Girl" prod.Baltik (official video),archivedfrom the original on 2021-12-21,retrieved2018-10-13
- ^Janovy, C. J. (December 18, 2017)."Kevin Mahogany, Internationally Known Jazz Vocalist From Kansas City, Dies At 59".KCUR-FM.
- ^Finn, Timothy (December 18, 2017)."Kansas City jazz singer Kevin Mahogany has died".The Kansas City Star.
External links[edit]
- Official website
- Kevin Mahoganydiscography atDiscogs
- "Kevin Mahogany biography".Telarc International Corporationlabel. Archived fromthe originalon October 25, 2006.Retrieved2007-05-06.
- "Art of Jazz Celebration Review".JazzElements blog.Retrieved2008-07-31.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
- 1958 births
- 2017 deaths
- Musicians from Kansas City, Missouri
- American jazz singers
- Baker University alumni
- Berklee College of Music faculty
- Enja Records artists
- University of Miami faculty
- Singers from Missouri
- Jazz musicians from Missouri
- 20th-century African-American male singers
- 20th-century American male singers
- 20th-century American singers
- 21st-century African-American male singers
- 21st-century American male singers