Tommy Banks (musician)

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The Honourable
Tommy Banks
OC AOE FRCMT(hon)
Senator for Alberta, Canada
In office
April 7, 2000 – December 17, 2011
Appointed byAdrienne Clarkson
Preceded byRon Ghitter
Personal details
Born
Thomas Benjamin Banks

(1936-12-17)December 17, 1936
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
DiedJanuary 25, 2018(2018-01-25) (aged 81)
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Political partyLiberal
Residence(s)Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
ProfessionPianist, conductor, arranger, composer, television personality and former senator

Thomas Benjamin Banks OC AOE FRCMT(hon) (December 17, 1936 – January 25, 2018) was a Canadian pianist, conductor, arranger, composer, television personality and senator.

Family[edit]

Tommy Banks, celebrated for his boundless creativity and deep passion for his craft, was equally renowned for his profound devotion to his family. He leaves behind a legacy cherished by his beloved wife of 59 years, Ida, his son Tom, and his daughter Jill Chipman, along with her husband Kevin[1]. He is also remembered fondly by his grandchildren Mallory and Matthew Chipman, Thomas and Jenna Banks, as well as his brothers Jim (Helen), Terry (Mary), John, and his sister Wendy Kingston (George).[2]

Ida Heller, born in Golden Prairie, Saskatchewan, to German immigrant parents, relocated to Medicine Hat, Alberta, with her family after their retirement from farming. There, she completed her schooling and commenced her career at the Royal Bank of Canada.[3]

Subsequently, Heller ventured into the advertising industry, working at McConnell, Eastman, one of Canada's major advertising agencies. In 1957, she joined Orion Musical Theatre in Edmonton[4], where she performed in various stage shows and met Tommy Banks, the musical director, whom she later married in 1959. In 1969, Heller assumed ownership and management of Banks Associated Music Ltd., a talent agency founded by Banks.[5] Under her leadership, the agency became the busiest and largest talent agency between Toronto and Vancouver, representing over two hundred artists.

Throughout her career, Heller was actively involved in community endeavors, serving on various boards and contributing her time to worthwhile causes. She is now retired from the talent agency business.

Television and musical career[edit]

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.

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.[6] 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 Performing Arts.[7] 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 Honourary 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.[8]

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.

Television Programs[edit]


Selected Currently-Available Recordings
Yes Indeed, Solo piano RRI 300-9647
For Dancers Only Tommy Banks Big Band RRI 300-9650
At the Montreux Festival** Tommy Banks Big Band RRI 300-9752
Big Miller Banks Big Band/Quartet CIICD 10974
The Holiday Season Tommy Banks & Many Friends RCD-0268
In The Middle of the Road Tommy Banks & Many Friends TBCD 1010
Tommy Banks's Christmas Piano & Orchestra TBCD 1308
Old Friends P. J. Perry & Tommy Banks TBCD 1312
Legacy Live* Jens Lindemann & Tommy Banks Ind.
Sweet Canadiana* Order of Canada Soloists Ind.

On Century II Records, distributed by Royalty Records.

** JUNO Award winner * JUNO Award nominee

Guest conducted[edit]

Government career[edit]

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.[15] Additionally, during the 37th and 38th Parliaments, he held the position of Chair of the Alberta Liberal Parliamentary Caucus.[16] 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.[17] This report initiated substantial national discourse and ultimately led to the allocation of federal gasoline tax revenues to municipalities.[18]

During his tenure as a Senator representing Alberta from 2000 to 2011, Tommy Banks went beyond his advocacy for the arts.[19] 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 Performing Arts and was honored as an Officer of the Order of Canada.[20]

Authored legislation items[edit]

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

[edit]

  • 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)

Death[edit]

Banks died of leukemia on January 25, 2018, in Edmonton, Alberta.[21]

Titles, honours, and awards.[edit]

Titles[edit]

  • 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[edit]

Ribbon bar of Tommy Banks

In order, these ribbons symbolise 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[edit]

Banks won the Sir Frederick Haultain Prize, the 1979 Juno Award for Best Jazz Album, the 1992 Gemini Award for Best Performance in a Variety Program (with k.d. Lang, for their performance at the Canadian Country Music Awards).[22]

Banks received an ACTRA Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as an Alberta Recording Industry Award of Distinction[14] and the 2010 SOCAN Special Achievement Award.[23] His wife Ida and he were honorary co-chairs for Northern Alberta of the CKUA Radio Network Capital Campaign, and board members of Wellspring Edmonton.

Moreover, in recognition of his foundational leadership, the Alberta Foundation for the Performing Arts has established an endowment fund of $25,000.[25] This fund supports the annual Tommy Banks Award, which recognizes the achievements of music directors and young musicians in music festival competitions.[26]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Lowering the Flag: Remembering Tommy Banks". ualberta.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  2. ^ "Lowering the Flag: Remembering Tommy Banks". ualberta.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  3. ^ "Tommy Banks, 81, was a musical virtuoso, TV star and passionate Edmontonian who became a senator". theglobeandmail.com. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  4. ^ "Tommy Banks Fonds". hermis.alberta.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  5. ^ "Tommy Banks Fonds". hermis.alberta.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  6. ^ "Dr. Thomas Benjamin Banks". alberta.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  7. ^ "The Honourable TOMMY BANKS, Senator". sencanada.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  8. ^ "Tommy Banks Fonds". hermis.alberta.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  9. ^ "Tommy Banks Fonds". hermis.alberta.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  10. ^ "Tommy Banks Fonds". hermis.alberta.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  11. ^ "Tommy Banks Fonds". hermis.alberta.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  12. ^ "Tommy Banks Fonds". hermis.alberta.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  13. ^ "Tommy Banks Fonds". hermis.alberta.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  14. ^ a b "Mercy - Arden collects half a dozen ARIAs". Edmonton Journal, Edmonton, Alberta, May 30, 1994, p. 12
  15. ^ "Tommy Banks Facts for Kids". kiddle.com. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  16. ^ "The Honourable TOMMY BANKS, Senator". sencanada.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  17. ^ "The Honourable TOMMY BANKS, Senator". sencanada.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  18. ^ "Debates of the Senate (Hansard)". encanada.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  19. ^ "TOMMY BANKS (1936-2018)". winspear.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  20. ^ "TOMMY BANKS (1936-2018)". winspear.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  21. ^ "Tommy Banks Musician and former Senator deat at 81". Edmonton Journal
  22. ^ "6th Gemini Awards". awardsandwinners.com. Retrieved 2018-01-26.
  23. ^ "2010 Socan Awards | Socan". Archived from the original on 2017-10-17. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  24. ^ "Winners + Nominees". The JUNO Awards. Retrieved 2020-03-31.
  25. ^ "Dr. Thomas Benjamin Banks". alberta.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  26. ^ "Dr. Thomas Benjamin Banks". alberta.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-29.

External links[edit]

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