Along with Bernard Allison, Melvin Taylor and a handful of others, guitarist, singer and songwriter Chico Banks is part of the new generation of Chicago blues players who are expanding the boundaries of this often maligned, misunderstood music. Like Allison and Taylor, and even older Southern musicians like Larry Garner and Sherman Robertson, Banks focuses on good-time, upbeat blues.
Chico freely mixes in elements of soul, funk and rock -- but when a musical form remains too static, as the late Luther Allison would say, it loses its vibrancy. He credits influences from a mixed bag of artists from the 1960s and '70s: "Magic Sam" Maghett, Buddy Guy, Albert King, Jimi Hendrix, Otis Clay, George Benson and Tyrone Davis. But his playing also reflects the contribution of jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal, and the funk of Prince, the Isley Brothers, the Ohio Players and Parliament/Funkadelic. Also not to be overlooked is his father, Jesse Banks, who played with the gospel group the Mighty Clouds of Joy.
Since joining his first band, a Top 40 cover group, at 14, Banks has performed with Johnny Christian, Evidence labelmate Melvin Taylor, Buddy Guy, Otis Clay, James Cotton, Artie "Blues Boy" White, Little Milton, Magic Slim, Big Time Sarah, Chick Rogers and most recently, Mavis Staples. Banks' sessionography includes albums by Willie Kent, Freddie Roulette and Pops Staples.
On his 1997 debut, Candy Lickin' Man, Banks is joined by the great gospel singer Mavis Staples, who also contributes liner notes. Although only in his 20s, Banks is already a veteran song interpreter; he covers classics like "Groove Me," "Got to Be Some Changes Made" and "The Sky Is Crying," putting his own individual stamp on each tune.
Thinking about you Chico and thinking about this October cruise without you. We will always have you in our hearts and your music in our ears. See you someday soon.
i miss my favorite bluesman from chicago... man... still at a loss for words.
banks family and friends: here's some unreleased photos from one of his last performances. my prayers are with you... the music scene world wide lost a genius...
you know man.... every time i sing stormy monday i talk to the people about my chicago brother... i miss you man!!! i miss to play with you at b.l.u.e.s ...i miss your funk rithium guitar and your blues solos... one day we'll play toghether again.... your italian brother Gianluca
Chico... hey maan, boyyyyy If you was a woman you'd been pregnant. I miss you friend. And thanx for the time on stage with you, that was some of my best playing. Rest brother, I'll grove with you again.
You and I were on the same page. I thank God for making our paths cross. It was great getting into trouble together. I want to cry every moment that I think about you, at the same time, I get a good laugh thinking of all of the good times that we shared. NOT TO MENTION all of the times that you made stay out until the sun came up. It's my goal to be the "Chico Banks of Harmonica!
Dear Chico, Say hello to Jimi, I will truly miss you and the few times we had, Dear Banks Family & Friends, My deepest sympathies to you all, I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to photograph / Design the “Stray Kitty Kat “sessions back on February 26th, 2008. These are some never before seen photos of Chico taken on that day. All the best, Steven Koress
