Although Kevin Eubanks has loyally played the role of sidekick, bandleader, and straight man for Jay Leno on both The Tonight Show and The Jay Leno Show, Kevin Eubanks is rarely recognized for being quite a funny guy himself.

I've been fortunate to meet Kevin Eubanks on a couple of occasions, but the first encounter was backstage at NBC studios in Burbank, California in 2003.

My first impression of the popular music and TV personality was: if I'm not laughing with this guy, I certainly don't want to be fighting with him.

Although it's difficult to observe from the camera angles that typically present Eubanks on television, Kevin has the build of a power-lifter. Incredible stocky and muscular, I no longer question the sincerity of Kevin Eubanks' belly laughs on Leno's show. After all, if he doesn't laugh, it's not like Jay has a decent shot at roughing him up.

Then again, its difficult to picture Kevin Eubanks throwing his muscle around. As an incredibly soft-spoken, charming guy, it's easy to see why he has been a popular television personality for nearly twenty years.