Education
"In fact piano lessons were a grade school staple for the whole family." Mahogany attended Baker University, where he performed with both instrumental and vocal ensembles and formed a vocal jazz group.
"In fact piano lessons were a grade school staple for the whole family." Mahogany attended Baker University, where he performed with both instrumental and vocal ensembles and formed a vocal jazz group.
He is known for his scat singing, and his singing style has been compared with jazz singers Joe Williams and Johnny Hartman. 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 1981, Mahogany received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music and English Drama.
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 Civil Defense by Frank Mantooth. His first Civil Defense release as a solo artist was Double Rainbow in 1993.
Mahogany appeared in Robert Altman"s 1996 film Kansas City, playing a character said to be based on Kansas City singer Big Joe Turner. Kevin Mahogany lists his vocal influences as Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, First Rate (at Lloyd's) Jarreau and Eddie Jefferson.
As a jazz educator, Mahogany has taught at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and the University of Miami.