Who is UK guitarist Steve Banks?
Steve Banks is a guitarist, composer, band leader and session musician.
Steve released ‘Emboldened’, his critically acclaimed debut album as bandleader on Stoney Lane Records in May 2023 followed by a UK tour.
“Steve Banks evokes a Metheny-esque lyricism”
Banks has performed at venues across the UK and Europe including Birmingham Symphony Hall, CBSO Centre, London’s King’s Place, Mostly Jazz, Manchester Jazz and Cheltenham Jazz Festivals and Jazzahead! in Germany.
Current projects include performances of a collaboration with Jonathan Silk to arrange the ‘Emboldened’ album alongside other compositions of Banks’ for jazz orchestra with choir.
Steve’s captivating style and versatility have kept him much in demand for many successful music projects, most notably playing electric, acoustic, baritone and nylon string guitars on Sara Colman’s albums ‘What We’re Made Of’ and ‘Ink On A Pin’, with credits as composer, co-composer and arranger. Both albums feature jazz sextet with string quartet and received high UK/US critical acclaim including Jazzwise Magazine’s ‘Top 10 albums of 2018’, ‘Best of Jazz on Bandcamp’ and 5 stars by UK Vibe.
Further projects include Greg Cordez Band (Ropeadope) and The Colman Brothers (Wah-Wah 45s), amongst others.
“Skilled, flowing guitar”
“Whether on acoustic or electric guitar, Steve Banks brings a crisp lyricism that mimics Colman’s flight patterns then deviates in fascinating directions”
Discography_
‘Ink On A Pin. A Celebration Of Joni Mitchell’
::: Guitarist
::: Co-arranger
‘An album of engulfing beauty’ Jazzwise Magazine
‘What We’re Made Of’
::: Guitarist
::: Co-composer & arranger
‘Top 10 albums of 2018’ Jazzwise Magazine