DAMON BANKS
BASSIST / COMPOSER / EDUCATOR

Damon Banks has performed with and / or recorded with some of the entertainment industry’s brightest stars, creative artists and innovative musicians. The work of many of these artists extend far beyond category and genre. These artists include:

George Benson, Peter Gabriel, Caetano Veloso, Angelique Kidjo, Hassan Hakmoun, Chico Hamilton, Hubert Laws, Arto Lindsay, The Neville Brothers, Eileen Ivers, Majek Fashek, Wadada Leo Smith, Marc Ribot, Corin Curschellas, Nat Adderley, Diedre Murray, Jamshied Sharifi, George Howard, Loose Ends, Bobby Womack, Miki Howard, Ossie Davis & Ruby Dee, KRS-ONE, Sekou Sundiata, DJ. SPOOKY, Ntozake Shange, Saul Williams, Karsh Kale, Francesca Harper, Morley, Roxane Butterfly, Eric Gadd, Akim Funk Buddha, Yungchen Llamo and Mamak Khadem.

His bass playing can be heard on these soundtracks:
“Footsteps In Africa” (Kiahkeya films - Kathi Von Koerber, director)
“Muppets from Space” (Henson / Sony films -Tim Hill, director)
“NBC Cosby Mysteries” (NBC)

He has written songs for George Benson ("That's Right", GRP records, which was voted #1 jazz album of 1996) and Miki Howard ("Three Wishes", Peak / Concord records, which was a Grammy nominated album)

Some of his television work include:
"Woodstock 1994" performing w/ Hassan Hakmoun & Peter Gabriel (all major networks throughout the world)
“New York Undercover” performing with Bobby Womack, Silk, Brownstone & Jon B (FOX)
"BET on Jazz" performing with Pheeroan Aklaff, Michael Cain & Peter Apfelbaum (BET)
“The Today Show” (NBC) & "Good Morning America" (ABC) performing with The Boys Choir of Harlem

Damon has performed on many international TV broadcasts throughout the world including Fuji -TV (Japan) and Globo TV (Brasil) In addition, his bass playing appears on many radio spots and jingles.

In 2005, Damon received the Haldane Foundation grant for his Global Music program. In 2009, he received the DCAC (Dutchess County Arts Council) grant for his multimedia theater piece entitled “Resistance: a Maroon story”.

Damon plays Fender basses, uses GK amps, EMG pickups and GHS strings. He is a member of ASCAP and A.F.of M (Local 802)