The Nebraska Jazz Orchestra proudly announces its first concert of the 2003-2004 season with a program entitled Standards, Scat, & Soul. This concert will feature the legendary voice of jazz vocalist Kevin Mahogany.
The concert will be held at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, 301 North 12th Street, Lincoln, on Wednesday, October 1st, at 7:30 p.m. Single ticket prices for this event are available for $34/$28/$24 (students ½ price) and may be purchased by contacting the Lied Center box office at 472-4747.
With his gift for bebop, ballads and bluesy jazz, guest artist Kevin Mahogany's talents emerged long before he was old enough to spell "record deal." "When I was a kid, music was as important as English and math in our household," says Kansas-City-born Kevin Mahogany. "In fact, piano lessons were a gradeschool staple for the whole family." By 1970, 12-year-old Kevin was also mastering the saxophone -- the same year that he first played in public with Eddie Baker's New Breed Orchestra. Throughout high school he played with three jazz bands. Piano. Sax. Clarinet. Drums. He loved 'em all. But it was during his senior year that Kevin discovered his passion for singing and never looked back. Kevin formed his own jazz choir while at Baker University. Graduating in 1981, he returned to his roots in KC and created the group "Mahogany and The Apollos." Their crowd-pleasing R&B and crossover jazz style caught on fast, attracting a following throughout the '80s. All the while, Kevin continued to develop his own style, closely following artists like Lambert, Ross, Jon Hendricks and Eddie Jefferson. In 1991, the NRE Trio heard Kevin while on tour in Kansas City. An invitation for him to tour with them turned into a live recording. Shortly thereafter, he was also spotted by pianist Frank Mantooth. Two more recordings ensued. Suddenly, Kevin's career was red hot. In February 1993, Kevin's debut album "Double Rainbow" hit the record stores. Its seldom-heard ballads, bop tunes and blues met with instant acclaim. He recorded two more well-received albums -- "Songs & Moments" and "You Got What It Takes" -- with German independent Enja before landing with Warner Brothers Records in 1995. Under the WB label, the self-titled "Kevin Mahogany,” "Another Time Another Place," and his most recent release, "My Romance," have all been met with rave reviews. Today, with six CDs under his belt, Kevin has proved he is the quintessential jazz vocalist. Newsweek describes him as "the standout jazz vocalist of his generation." New Yorker writer Whitney Balliet writes, "There is little Mahogany cannot do." And, says the L.A. Times, "Mahogany is one of the first truly gifted male vocalists to emerge in years."
Nebraska Jazz Orchestra strives to provide accessible venues and programs to visitors of all abilities. Please contact the business office at 477-8446 regarding services available.
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