Todd Banks - all instruments (piano, left handed bass, left handed guitar, Native American Flute, percussion, vocals)
Influences
Franz Liszt, Eddie Jobson, Bach, John Huling, Geddy Lee, Brian Eno, David Gilmour, Mannheim Steamroller, Yanni, Shadowfax, Jeff Berlin, Enya, Richard Bach, Og Mandino, Orson Scott Card, powwows, nature, and of course my friends and family.
Sounds Like
George Winston, Yanni, Enya, Brian Eno, Mannheim Steamroller, Rachmonanoff, David Arkenstone
Todd began his classical training on piano at eight years old in the Chicago area. After several years, he added bass, guitar, Native American flute and began writing lyrics.
While attending Purdue University in 1984, he formed Psychic Warrior and had his first independent release on Device Records, “Airy-ell”. He played bass, keyboards and vocals for this progressive/ alternative band and received his first airplay.
At the same time he played bass for three other bands in college and played in the surrounding cities before moving to Los Angeles. There as the bassist and lyricist he helped form the fusion band Foundation and later the progressive band Triad (with the guitarist from the Motels). Additionally, he recorded on a hard rock project with Barry White Jr.
In 1988 Todd joined Eskimo Records', The Black Watch, as the bassist on their second release, “Short Stories”. This alternative band continued to tour and record with national and international press and album sales.
In 1991, Todd formed Carbon 14 as bassist/songwriter and released a series of recordings on the Vampyre label. Carbon 14 was a KROC style industrial, gothic, and alternative band with a lot of diversity.
In 1994 he released an ambient album of twelve soothing original piano compositions on Device Records entitled, “Landscapes”. It was re-mastered in 2002 and featured on Metaphysical Reviews, www.metarev.com.
In 2000, this was followed by the Device release of sixteen original piano compositions entitled “Dreamscapes” that was featured on Metaphysical Reviews.
In 2003, Todd released, “Spirit Walk” on the Device label. Spirit Walk is a very melodic blend of progressive, alternative and Native American influences with songs ranging from highly energetic to mystic to sadly sweet. He wrote and performed all the songs including seven instrumentals and the CD features four vocal performances, two of which are original Cherokee songs. On this release, he plays bass, guitar, vocals, and percussion.
In 2005, Todd has released his newest CD, part three of his piano trilogy titled, “Lifescapes, scenes of our lives”. In this dramatic collection of fourteen piano compositions written and recorded on a restored 1917 Artimus upright baby grand piano, he masterfully captures the significant milestones of our lives from birth to passing. This CD includes the very successful “Joline’s Walk” (written as a wedding march for his niece) and “Circle of Life”. As a left handed bass and guitar player Todd has also appeared on three compilations of international left handed players: Lefty Bass I, II, and III from Germany.
All of his CDs are available at: www.toddbanksmusic.com and most download sites.
Todd plays a Perzina upright baby grand piano. a custom left-handed Rickenbacher 4003 bass, Dean 5 string, and Martin acoustic bass. He also plays a Washburn acoustic/electric guitar, Navaho and Apache flutes, and Native American percussion. He lives with his wife and son in the foothills of Angeles National Forest.
In his spare time, Todd really enjoys playing disc golf, ball golf, hiking, reading.
Check out the merchandise link on www.toddbanksmusic for cool t-shirts and stuff!
He is currently working on a new piano album, The Roads We Walk.
!!You very welcome my sweet Todd is my honor and pleasure visit your page I love it your music!!how re u?I hope u have Blessing weekend my sweet Todd*besos,warm hug india Vikki,,ny..
!!This is special for u my sweet Todd,I wish u have beautiful week with all best energy*thanx for your music,all my respect**besos,warm hug india Vikki,,ny..
!!Hello my sweet Todd,I wish u have beautiful week with all my Love,Peace and Moon Light for u Spirit**!!thanx for your music*besos,warm hug india Vikki,,ny..
!!Hello my sweet et bello Todd,I wish u have wonderful but productive week with all my best energy special for u spirit*thanx a lot for your magical art**besos,warm hug india Vikki,,ny..
!!Hello my sweet et bello Todd*thank u for share your magical music,I wish u have productive week*I send u all my best energy special for u spirit*besos,warm hug india Vikki,,ny..
!!Hello my sweet Todd,I wish u have Blessing week with all my Love,Peace and Moon Light for u Spirit**thank u for share your magical art,all my respect**besos,warm hug india Vikki,,ny..
!!Hello my sweet Todd,I wish u have wonderful day with all my Love,Peace and Moon Light for u Spirit*thanx for your magical music,all my respect**besos,warm hug india Vikki,,ny..
!!Hello my sweet Todd,I wish u have magicol week with all my best energy special for u spirit**thank u for your beautiful music**besos,warm hug india Vikki,,ny..
*NAMESTE*Have magicol weekend with all my good energy special for u spirit my sweet Todd,all my respect for your beautiful art**besos,warm hug india Vikki,,ny..
!!you very welcome my darling is my pleasure and honor to have u in my world please never stop to do the beautiful music,thanx for share with me your magicol art**I send u my passion and all my good energy Love,Peace and Moon Light for u spirit**besos,warm hug india Vikki,,ny..
!!Hello my sweet Todd!!,I send u all my best energy special for this week*thanx for your beautiful art never stop to do your beautiful music,all my respect**besos,warm hug india Vikki,,ny..
thanks a lot Todd!! I appreciate it much love and respect to my fellow musician :D would you like some free song downloads? I have a way to get them to you using gmail....I don't need your email address or anything, I make it so you can grab them whenever you have time.
just send me a message with the subject "downloads" and I'll take care of ya :) let me know D
