From a Kolkata nightclub to a world stage, Luiz Banks is the pioneer of jazz in India. Now, at 81, he is eager to reprise an old role
From a Kolkata nightclub to a world stage, Luiz Banks is the pioneer of jazz in India. Now, at 81, he is eager to reprise an old role
The memories of teaching the Godfather of Indian Jazz are fresh. After spending more than half a century as a musician – performing in smoky Kolkata pubs and glittering international forums, composing with the best of Bollywood and the most creative of Indian advertising – Lewis Banks has a 81-year-old There is so much to look back on in the age of. His eyes are on the front. However, his most recent initiative brings back simpler memories of the “good old Darjeeling”.
“My earliest memory of teaching music is of a group of students in old Darjeeling,” says the eminent musician from Mumbai. He recalls: “After graduating from St. Joseph’s College, I decided to pursue BT: Bachelor of Teaching. With a BA BT under my belt I did exactly three years teaching music theory and practice. I have vague memories of that period of my life, but I enjoyed it. I have met some of these boys after a gap of many years; He still fondly remembers those days with me as his teacher.”
Those memories pertain to the early career incarnation of Banks, a man with a lifetime of achievements, awards and prolific creations still awaiting him. Today, his repertoire is extensive: he, with the likes of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, has co-produced iconic tunes such as ‘Freedom Run’ and ‘Mile Sur Mera Tumhara’ – a song synonymous with the early feelings of a young, 40-year-old. Old India is still finding its feet, songs that are being repeated even today. He has composed over 1,000 advertising jingles, including Classic Dairy Milk. real self of life Tune. He has proved his mettle in many of RD Burman’s tunes, who invited him to Bollywood in the late 1960s after listening to his jazz performances at the Blue Fox restaurant in Kolkata.
Reputedly, he has played, popularized and experimented with jazz in myriad forms: belting out jazz-up variants of popular songs in Kolkata nightclubs, incorporating Indian classical scales and instruments into his music, with Pt. Jazz Suite Playing with Jazzmine; Creating a number of ensembles and groups to further this musical flick with enthusiasts from across the country. If jazz became synonymous with Mumbai’s nightclubs in the golden years of the 70s, it is Louis Banks to thank.
The lower age limit for their new music course is six years. photo credit: special arrangement
beyond limits
Now, Banks has returned to teaching. This time, their medium of instruction is the Internet, and their students are not bound by age or class structure. Looking at his past teaching experience, he finds, “No comparison. This course is my child’s, which I designed and developed after many years of playing and studying music in different genres with Artium Academy.”
The academy is essentially an online learning platform based out of Mumbai, which offers courses from certified instructors and masters including Shubha Mudgal, KS Chitra and Sonu Nigam. Here, Luiz Banks’ curriculum focuses on piano, giving students the opportunity to learn through online one-hour sessions with him. “This is entirely my course, designed and developed from scratch … from learning musical notation (which is mandatory) and to developing the physical aspect of finger dexterity, the study of harmony and its relation to melodic construction and It starts to stimulate creativity in each student. To write their own music and songs,” he says.
The focus is on a student’s progress from the basics of music to becoming a musician in his own right. This, naturally, turns the conversation to Banks’ own musical education, which was provided primarily by his father, George Banks, a man who moved from his hilly Gurkha home in Nepal, down the hill slopes to Bengal. The plains were drawn, only a tug of war music.
He named his son Louis after the composer Louis Armstrong. “My early inspiration was my father. He was my god of music, and he made sure I got on a good ground in the fundamentals of learning music through reading musical notation, regularly practicing my scales and arpeggios, and understanding music theory. God bless him… eternally grateful for his teaching and for giving me a wonderful start towards a career in music,” says Banks.
Luiz Banks on stage | photo credit: special arrangement
But learning from the teacher is one thing, and learning on stage is another thing entirely. Banks elaborates, “At first it’s a completely different ball game. Even if you’re ready with your repertoire after several days of rehearsal, you’ll have to face such an audience.” While doing it requires steel and super confidence which can be very decisive…or very appreciative. You have to take it to your level and give your best.”
Here’s a list of lessons learned from decades of live performances: “Do your homework, assess your audience’s reaction to your performance and choice of material … Change your repertoire and approach and put your best foot forward.” Keep going. It’s not easy and you learn progressively after every performance even after establishing yourself as a great musician or singer.”
But no matter how prepared and fast a musician is on their feet, nerves – says Banks – are only natural.
“It’s a good sign if you’re nervous before the first number… If you’re confident about your abilities and your repertoire, you’ll be at your best. When the first number goes great and the audience applauds and cheers. You are on your way to a great performance. This has been my own experience.”
His last word of advice to artists says of his first one, “I have also learned that you have decided that the repertoire should be open to change if necessary.”
So will he teach the first lesson? Or will the fun and playfulness of jazz be its focus? Turns out, it’s the latter.
“I have always believed that learning music should be a fun thing. This attitude works because the student is building a strong foundation and learning all the fundamentals without stress… the stress is counter-productive,” he says. say clearly.
Indian Musician Mohini Dey | photo credit: special arrangement
Next Generation
Banks is optimistic about the current crop of jazz and western musicians in the country including Sheldon D’Silva, Rhythm Shaw, Mohini Dey, Rahul Wadhwani, Rice D’Souza, Vasundhara, Ishita Chakraborty, Thomson Andrews and many more.
better days ahead
Having said that, Banks is optimistic about the current crop of jazz and Western musicians in the country.
He found that he “has a serious intention to give his best in performance … Keep in mind that he practices a lot! The group of good musicians who aspire to work hard is increasing day by day. Seize the right opportunities.” Seeing they will leave their mark on the world stage.
His own son, Gino Banks, has been performing and touring continuously since the end of the lockdown. A fresh return from a jazz weekend in New Delhi, Gino is as optimistic about the Indian scene as his father, if not more. “There are many young jazz artists nowadays, much more than when I was starting out,” he says.
Gino repeats, “Many promoters want to do jazz concerts. There are spectators for the show. Venue owners and performing arts centers need to host events for this music to flourish… India needs to be one of the world’s largest.” To help become a concert touring country again for the best to come and play.”
Gino and Louis Banks | photo credit: special arrangement
His father reiterates that, regardless of genre or stage: “Good music is good music. It will always be appreciated! There is no bad music, only badly played music. In my case, some of my best musical creations haven’t received widespread appreciation, because they don’t fall into the popular music culture category. But that doesn’t stop me from following my true path and making music that meets my standard of good music first. ,
And with one final, emphatic word of advice, Luiz Banks signed off: “Be original and let your voice be heard!”