Tommy Banks

Biography

Thomas Benjamin Banks (December 17, 1936 – January 25, 2018) was a Canadian pianist, conductor, composer, television personality, and senator. He was appointed to the Senate of Canada on the advice of prime minister Jean Chrétien in 2000 and served as a member of the Liberal caucus until 2011.

Early life

Banks was born in Calgary, Alberta on December 17, 1936. He was born to Benjamin and Laura Banks. He had three brothers: Jim, Terry, and John, and one sister, Wendy. In 1949, the Banks family moved to Edmonton, Alberta.
At 14 years old, he joined the Don Thompson jazz band as a pianist. Together the band toured all over the province of Alberta as a part of the "Jammin the Blues" shows. Four years later he became the music director of the Orion Musical Theatre in Edmonton, where he would eventually meet his future wife Ida Heller.
Banks met his wife Ida Heller when he was the musical director for various stage shows. They were married in 1959, and ten years later, Heller assumed ownership and management of Banks Associated Music Ltd., a talent agency founded by Banks. Together, Ida Heller and Banks had a son, Tom, and daughters Toby and Jill.

Career

In 1956, after earning a license from the American Federation of Musicians, he managed the Associated Entertainment Services of Canada. From there, a decade later, he went on to incorporate two businesses: Tommy Banks Music Limited, and Banks Associated Music, which would later be run by his wife. A few years later he went on to incorporate yet more business, Century II Productions, where he would author numerous commercial jingles in the 60s and 70s.

Television and music

Banks was the host of syndicated and network television programs, including “The Tommy Banks Show” (1968–1983), “Somewhere There’s Music”, “What’s My Name”, “ Love and Mr. Smith”, “Celebrity Revue”, “Symphony of a Thousand”, “Tommy Banks Jazz”, etc. Banks is credited as being the founder of Edmonton's art scene due to the success of "The Tommy Banks Show" which featured performances from music icons such as Tom Jones and Tina Turner.
Banks provided musical direction for the ceremonies of the XI Commonwealth Games, EXPO ’86, the World University Games, the XV Olympic Winter Games, and for several radio and television shows. He produced and/or conducted command performances for Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family, and for President Ronald Reagan. He was a member of the A. F. of M., ACTRA, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (U.S.), the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, and of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Banks made his jazz-playing debut in 1950 in the touring band of saxophonist Don (D. T.) Thompson. At the age of 15, he performed at Varsity Hall.
Banks served as chair of the Music Committee of the Board of Governors of Alberta College and was the founding chairman of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Additionally, he chaired the Music Program at Grant MacEwan Community College and held positions on various boards, including the Edmonton Concert Hall Foundation, the Instrumental Jazz Division of MusicFest Canada, and the B&B Foundation for the Theatrical & Musical Arts of Alberta. Banks was also a member of the board of the CKUA Radio Network Foundation and held honorary positions with the Alberta Heart Fund, Cosmopolitan International, and Rotary International, where he was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. Additionally, he is the recipient of an Honorary Diploma of Music from Grant MacEwan College, an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Alberta, and of the Sir Frederick Haultain Prize. He is an officer of the Order of Canada, and a Member of the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Public service

Senator Banks was appointed to the Senate by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson at the recommendation of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien in 2000. He represented Alberta, sitting as a Liberal. In the Senate, he served as a member of the Standing Committee on National Finance, of the Special Committee on Illegal Drugs, of the Standing Committee on National Security and Defence (SCONSAD) and on its steering committee, and as chair of the Subcommittee on Veterans’ Affairs.
In the 37th, 38th, and 39th Parliaments, Tommy Banks was elected Chair of the Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment, and Natural Resources. Additionally, during the 37th and 38th Parliaments, he held the position of Chair of the Alberta Liberal Parliamentary Caucus. After the dissolution of the 37th Parliament, Senator Banks was appointed to an all-party committee consisting of members from both Houses of Parliament, tasked with advising the Government on the implementation of parliamentary oversight in matters related to security intelligence. Additionally, he contributed to various ad hoc committees within the Senate. He served as the vice-chair of the Caucus Task Force on Urban Issues.

During his tenure as a Senator representing Alberta from 2000 to 2011, Banks participated in various committees and panels, including one that provided advice to the government during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations. He was the founding chairman of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and was honored as an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Tommy Banks was appointed to the Senate of Canada on April 7, 2000. On May 9, 2001, he received the role of vice-chair for the Prime Minister's Caucus Task Force on Urban Issues.

Titles

December 17, 1936 – April 7, 2000: Mr. Thomas Benjamin Banks
April 7, 2000 – : The Honourable Thomas Benjamin Banks
As a former senator, Banks was entitled to be styled The Honourable for life.

Honours

In order, these ribbons symbolize Banks': Order of Canada, Alberta Order of Excellence, Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Alberta Centennial Medal

Authored

The Statutes Repeal Act, (2008)
An Act to Amend the Federal Sustainable Development Act (2008)
Auditor General Act (involvement of Parliament) (2010)

Sponsored

Canada National Parks Act (2000)
Canada National Marine Conservation Act (2001)
Act to Establish the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (2005)
Act to Amend the Migratory Birds Convention (1994)
Species At Risk Act (2002)
Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 (2005)
Canada Border Services Agency Act (2005)
Act to Amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody) (2010)

Appearances

When Johnny Went Plowing For Kearon - Tommy Banks & John Cousins (1976)
Pieces Of Dreams - Various (1977)
Hit That Jive Jack- Various – (Go West) A Vital Collection Of Western Canadian Music (1999)

Guest conducted

Budapest Symphony Orchestra of the Hungarian State Radio & Television
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra
Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra
Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra
Memphis Symphony Orchestra
National Arts Centre Orchestra
Regina Symphony Orchestra
Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra
Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra
Toledo Symphony Orchestra
The Toronto Symphony
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Symphony Nova-Scotia
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra