Tommy Banks (musician)

The Honourable Thomas (Tommy) Benjamin Banks (December 17, 1936 – January 25, 2018) was a Canadian pianist, conductor, composer, television personality and senator. He was married to a musical theatre hobbyist, Ida Heller, the woman who would eventually run Banks Associated Music Ltd., founded by Banks himself.

As a talented musician and performer Tommy Banks has contributed a great deal to the musical and art communities in Canada. As the lead on the Tommy Banks Show for fifteen years, Banks found himself credited as a key player in the Edmonton art scene. He has performed in many avenues of music production and competition from performer, through to conductor, adjudicator and more. He has played key roles in performances for Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family, and even for President Ronald Reagan.

As a public servant, Banks was appointed to the Senate in 2000 where he represented Alberta as a liberal and served to combat issues with illegal drugs and Veteran’s Affairs. Additionally, he contributed to governmental positions on energy, environment and natural resources. As a Senator, Banks advocated for the arts and was instrumental in the Alberta Foundation of the Arts.

Biography
Thomas (Tommy) Benjamin Banks was born in Calgary, Alberta on December 17, 1936, coming from multiple generations of musically gifted people where he learned not only his talent, but also his profound devotion to family. 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. Tommy Banks met his wife Ida Heller when he was the musical director for various stage shows. They were married in 1959, and just ten years later, Heller assumed ownership and management of Banks Associated Music Ltd., a talent agency founded by Banks. Together, Ida Heller and Tommy Banks had a son, Tom, and a daughter, Jill.

Early Years
Tommy Banks did not get a formal education, but rather his incredible talent gave him the opportunity to learn on the job. At the young age of 14 years, he joined the Don Thompson jazz band as a pianist. Together the band toured all over the province of Alberta as a part of the "Jammin the Blues" shows. Within four years, Banks would gain the skill and experience to become the music director of the Orian Musical Theatre in Edmonton, where he would eventually meet his future wife Ida Heller.

Career
Though Banks' career began at age 14, it grew to something more than playing or directing music in his early 20s. In 1956, after earning a license from the American Federation of Musicians, he found himself managing the Associated Entertainment Services of Canada. From there, a decade later, he went on to incorporate two businesses: Tommy Banks Music Limited, and Banks Associated Music, which would later be run by his wife. A few years later he went on to incorporate yet more business, Century II Productions, where he would author numerous commercial jingles in the 60s and 70s.

Television and Music
Banks was the host of nationally - and internationally - syndicated and network television programs, including “The Tommy Banks Show” (1968-1983), “Somewhere There’s Music”, “What’s My Name”, “ Love and Mr. Smith”, “Celebrity Revue”, “Symphony of a Thousand”, “Tommy Banks Jazz”, etc. Banks is credited as being the founder of Edmonton's art scene due to the success of "The Tommy Banks Show" which featured performances from music icons such as Tom Jones and Tina Turner The Tommy Banks Show. Tommy Banks has dedicated a significant portion of his remarkable energy and talent to serving the community in the realm of music education. His multifaceted contributions include roles as an adjudicator, clinician, speaker, musician, and administrator. He provided musical direction for the ceremonies of the XI Commonwealth Games, EXPO ’86, the World University Games, the XV Olympic Winter Games, and for countless 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. He played jazz throughout North America, Western and Central Europe, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Banks’ aptitude as a jazz musician became evident from a young age, and by the age of 15, he was already performing at Varsity Hall. In 1983, his quintet became the first jazz band to tour in continental China since the 1949 revolution.

Prior to his appointment to the Senate of Canada, Tommy Banks held several prominent roles within the music and arts community. He served as chair of the Music Committee of the Board of Governors of Alberta College and was the founding chairman of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Additionally, he chaired the Music Program at Grant MacEwan Community College and held positions on various boards, including the Edmonton Concert Hall Foundation, the Instrumental Jazz Division of MusicFest Canada, and the B. & B. Foundation for the Theatrical & Musical Arts of Alberta. Banks was also a member of the board of the CKUA Radio Network Foundation and held honorary positions with the Alberta Heart Fund, Cosmopolitan International, and Rotary International, where he was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. Additionally, he is the recipient of an Honourary Diploma of Music from Grant MacEwen College, an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Alberta, and of the Sir Frederick Haultain Prize. He is an officer of the Order of Canada, and a Member of the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Public Service
Senator Banks was appointed to the Senate by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson at the recommendation of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien in 2000. He represented Alberta, sitting as a Liberal. In the Senate, he served as a member of the Standing Committee on National Finance, of the Special Committee on Illegal Drugs, of the Standing Committee on National Security and Defence (SCONSAD) and on its steering committee, and as chair of the Subcommittee on Veterans’ Affairs. In the 37th, 38th, and 39th Parliaments, Tommy Banks was elected Chair of the Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment, and Natural Resources. Additionally, during the 37th and 38th Parliaments, he held the position of Chair of the Alberta Liberal Parliamentary Caucus. After the dissolution of the 37th Parliament, Senator Banks was appointed to an all-party committee consisting of members from both Houses of Parliament, tasked with advising the Government on the implementation of parliamentary oversight in matters related to security intelligence. Additionally, he contributed to various ad hoc committees within the Senate. Notably, he served as the vice-chair of the Caucus Task Force on Urban Issues, which played a pivotal role in crafting Canada's Urban Strategy - a Blueprint for Action. This report initiated substantial national discourse and ultimately led to the allocation of federal gasoline tax revenues to municipalities.

During his tenure as a Senator representing Alberta from 2000 to 2011, Tommy Banks went beyond his advocacy for the arts. He actively participated in various committees and panels, including one that provided advice to the government during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Moreover, he played a pivotal role as the founding chairman of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and was honored as an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Tommy Banks was appointed to the Senate of Canada on April 7, 2000. On May 9, 2001, he received the role of Vice-Chair for the Prime Minister's Caucus Task Force on Urban Issues.

Titles

 * December 17, 1936 – April 7, 2000: Mr Thomas Benjamin Banks
 * April 7, 2000 – : The Honourable Thomas Benjamin Banks

As a former senator, Banks was entitled to be styled The Honourable for life.

Honours
In order, these ribbons symbolize Banks': Order of Canada, Alberta Order of Excellence, Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Alberta Centennial Medal

Awards

 * Best Jazz Album (Jazz Canada Montreux 1978), Juno Awards (1979)
 * Grand Prix du Disques-Canada, Canadian Music Council (1979)
 * Inducted into the Edmonton Cultural Hall of Fame (1986)
 * Sir Frederick Haultain Prize, Province of Alberta (1990)
 * Best Performance in a Variety Program or Series (The 1990 Canadian Country Music Awards), Gemini Awards (1992)
 * Inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence (1993)
 * Special Achievement Award, SOCAN (2010)

Authored

 * The Statutes Repeal Act, (2008)
 * An Act to Amend the Federal Sustainable Development Act (2008)
 * Auditor General Act (involvement of Parliament) (2010)

Sponsored

 * Canada National Parks Act (2000)
 * Canada National Marine Conservation Act (2001)
 * Act to Establish the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (2005)
 * Act to Amend the Migratory Birds Convention (1994)
 * Species At Risk Act (2002)
 * Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 (2005)
 * Canada Border Services Agency Act (2005)
 * Act to Amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody) (2010)

Discography
On Century II Records, distributed by Royalty Records.

** JUNO Award winner * JUNO Award nominee

Appearances

 * When Johnny Went Plowing For Kearon - Tommy Banks & John Cousins (1976)
 * Pieces Of Dreams - Various (1977)
 * Hit That Jive Jack- Various – (Go West) A Vital Collection Of Western Canadian Music (1999)

Guest conducted

 * Budapest Symphony Orchestra of the Hungarian State Radio & Television
 * Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
 * Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra
 * Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
 * Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra
 * Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra
 * Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra
 * Memphis Symphony Orchestra
 * National Arts Centre Orchestra
 * Regina Symphony Orchestra
 * Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra
 * Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra
 * Toledo Symphony Orchestra
 * The Toronto Symphony
 * Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
 * Symphony Nova-Scotia
 * Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra