Tag Archives: debbie-vickers

Following Kevin Eubanks’ departure, Minor will join Jay Leno in June. By Gil Kaufman Rickey Minor Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images The late-night talk show turnover machine keeps churning, as Tuesday brought news that one day after Jay Leno lost longtime bandleader Kevin Eubanks, he quickly picked up a replacement: “American Idol” music director Rickey Minor. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Minor will make his debut on “The Tonight Show” on June 7, just after Eubanks’ departure in May and the season-nine finale of “Idol” on May 26. “It is a privilege for all of us to have Rickey on board,” said Debbie Vickers, “Tonight Show” executive producer. “We couldn’t be more excited. The ‘Tonight Show’ has a long tradition of acclaimed musicians in this role, and it’s great to now include Rickey alongside Kevin and Branford [Marsalis].” Minor, a mostly off-camera presence on “Idol,” does bring a musical pedigree, with a long r