About Steve Banks
Steve Banks released his critically acclaimed debut album, Emboldened, in May 2023 on Stoney Lane Records followed by a UK tour. Emboldened presents a compelling, distinctive, and personal sound, immediately recognisable as the guitarist and composer’s own work. Powerful modern jazz, deep contemporary grooves, lush harmonies, and memorable melodies amongst expressive, rich, and dynamic improvisation from a quintet comprising celebrated UK musicians and bandleaders.
Steve Banks Quintet:
Steve Banks – guitar
Sam Crockatt – saxophone
Rebecca Nash – piano
Henrik Jensen – bass
Mark Whitlam – drums
“All the compositions are heartfelt and honest, as are the performances. A chronicle of hard-won optimism and hope. An elegant response to troubled times” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Jazz album of the month
BBC Music Magazine
“This excellent debut album as leader is well worth the wait and delivered with an original voice. Banks conveys an authenticity that brings a fresh voice to the world of jazz. An invigorating listening experience with clearly defined energy and character, there is a delight in its originality” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
UK Vibe
“Purposeful precision and smart invention . . . tightly written, long unfolding melodic structures weaving the musicians into braided soundscapes . . . deserving of a much wider audience” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jazzwise
“An excellent debut recording. Banks has developed a strong individual voice as an intelligent composer and distinctive guitar stylist. He plays with a controlled intensity; fluent, joyous and, at times, stratospheric” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Jazz Mann
“Emboldened is a truly distinctive and personal work that should leave you captivated from start to finish. Listening to these tunes feels like you’re experiencing the view of a breath-taking natural wonder; it makes you feel smaller as your world expands” 9/10
Blues and Soul Magazine
Steve is currently collaborating with Jonathan Silk to arrange 'Emboldened' for jazz orchestra with performances scheduled for 2023-24.
Steve also features on Sara Colman’s ‘Ink on a Pin’, a collection of Joni Mitchell’s music with jazz sextet and string quartet released and toured across the UK in 2021. Steve also plays electric, acoustic, baritone and nylon string guitars on Sara’s album ‘What We’re Made Of’. He co-composed several tracks with Sara and his composition ‘Open’ features on the album which appeared on Jazzwise Magazine’s ‘Top 10 albums of 2018’ and ‘Best of Jazz on Bandcamp’ lists and was awarded 5 stars by UK Vibe.
Teaching:
I am passionate about education and have spent a long time developing and refining clear communication, encouraging real expression and awareness with effective and engaging practice methods.
Alongside private tuition, I have designed and taught degree courses for individuals, groups and ensembles across the UK since 2007, also preparing jazz students for undergraduate and post-graduate study at UK conservatoires.
I have also mentored musicians in composition with featured performances at major UK venues.