Kevin Mahogany (born July 30, 1958, [1] in Kansas City, Missouri) is an American jazz vocalist who became prominent in the 1990's. 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]

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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 1980's 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." ^[6]

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. ^[6] 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)

References

1. Kevin Mahogany biography
2. Kevin Mahogany biography
3. Kevin Mahogany biography
4. Mahogany's tribute does justice to Kansas City jazz
5. Minnesota State University Mankato Past JazzFest Events
6. Kevin Mahogany biography
7. Kevin Mahogany biography
8. Kevin Mahogany at All About Jazz
9. Kevin Mahogany biography
10. Kevin Mahogany: An Independent Voice