Tommy Banks (musician)

Thomas Benjamin Banks (December 17, 1936 – January 25, 2018) was a Canadian pianist, conductor, composer, television personality, and senator. He was appointed to the Senate of Canada on the advice of prime minister Jean Chrétien in 2000 and served as a member of the Liberal caucus until 2011. Early life Banks was born in Calgary, Alberta on December 17, 1936. He was born to Benjamin and Laura Banks. He had three brothers: Jim, Terry, and John, and one sister, Wendy. In 1949, the Banks family moved to Edmonton, Alberta. Banks provided musical direction for the ceremonies of the XI Commonwealth Games, EXPO ’86, the World University Games, the XV Olympic Winter Games, and for several radio and television shows. He produced and/or conducted command performances for Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family, and for President Ronald Reagan. He was a member of the A. F. of M., ACTRA, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (U.S.), the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, and of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Banks made his jazz-playing debut in 1950 in the touring band of saxophonist Don (D. T.) Thompson. At the age of 15, he performed at Varsity Hall.