Mr. Banks is a native of Atlanta Georgia and enjoyed early formative experiences in Drum Corps, formal study in music education, and a promising freelance career. Mr. Banks moved to New York and attended The Juilliard School as a Gluck fellowship recipient where he earned a Performance Certificate in Bass Trombone under the tutelage of Mr. Joseph Alessi, Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic. In New York, Mr. Banks studied with more than a dozen Artists from The New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Boston Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Empire Brass Quintet, and American Brass Quintet. Performances include recordings and live engagements with the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony, St. Luke’s Orchestra, American Brass Quintet, Meridian Arts Ensemble, Brooklyn Symphony, to name a few. As a chamber musician, Mr. Banks was a member of the Equali Trombone Quartet and the Avalon Brass Quintet that won First Prize at the New York Brass Conference Chamber Music Competition. His professional career as a bass trombonist includes extended engagements with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony, and the Burning River Brass Ensemble.

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Mr. Banks won an appointment with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra in South Carolina, where he performed and recorded with the Orchestra, including an acclaimed National Tour of “Porgy and Bess”, the CSO Brass Quintet, and gave featured solo performances as part of the renowned Spoleto Music Festival, USA. From 1994 to 2002 Mr. Banks held the Bass Trombone chair with the Jacksonville Symphony. During this time Mr. Banks served as an Applied Trombone Faculty member at the University of South Carolina for 4 years with a large applied studio, Trombone Ensemble, annual recitals, and studio class responsibilities.

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Mr. Banks began teaching at LaVilla School of the Arts, in Jacksonville, Florida and accepted a full-time position in 2004. At LaVilla, Mr. Banks is fortunate to be one of the three instrumental music faculty, and works collaboratively with Mr. Tyler Dunn and Ms. Heather Davidson in every aspect of the program with specific responsibility for the Jazz, Chamber music, and Percussion programs. During his tenure Mr. Banks has established a full-time percussion ensemble class and a chamber music performance class. LaVilla host regular guest artist from the Jacksonville Symphony, various Universities including the University of North Florida, Florida State University, the Juilliard School, and an innovative partnership with Jacksonville University. LaVilla has also developed an on-going relationship with “Don’t Miss a Beat” a local organization that provides arts and academic instruction for students that might not otherwise have the opportunity. Some of the noteworthy recent LaVilla accomplishments include, being named a Florida model school for music 2016-2018, Numerous awards from the Arts School Network for innovation and excellence, a 2020 National Magnet School of Distinction by Magnet Schools of America, the Ashley Street Jazz Band performed at the famed 73rd Annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, and LaVilla was named a 2020 Blue Ribbon “Program of Excellence” by National Band Association (1 of only 4 Middle Schools ever to be so recognized)

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Mr. Banks served as the Florida All-State Middle School Jazz Band coordinator from 2013-2016, and in numerous roles for FBA District 17. Mr. Banks is an active member of JEN, FBA, NafMe, FMEA and is a nationally ranked masters division Olympic Recurve Archer.

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