Kevin Mahogany Dies

Jazz vocalist Kevin Mahogany, known for his broad baritone and talent for improvisation, died at his home in Kansas City, Mo., Dec. 17 at age 59. The cause of death is still being determined.

Paul Natkin/Getty Images – Kevin Mahogany

Mahogany, who also played the clarinet and saxophone, released about a dozen records including his debut album, Double Rainbow, in 1993. He went on to tour with artists including Marlena Shaw, Ray Brown Trio and T.S. Monk and appeared in the 1996 movie, “Kansas City.”

The performer also taught at the University of Miami and Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Mahogany most recently toured the West Coast in November making California stops in San Diego, Los Angeles, Fresno, Napa Valley and his last reported concert at Yoshi’s in Oakland Nov. 20.

In recent years Mahogany also held down residencies at famed jazz club Birdland in New York City.

He also collaborated with a group of Austrian musicians to release The Vienna Affair in 2015.