Kenny Banks Jr. didn’t think his first attempt at playing the piano was very impressive. At age 7, he approached the keys to try his hand at the “Mortal Kombat” theme song. “It sounded like crap back then, but those were the beginning stages,” he laughs.
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Now at age 30, the jazz musician has honed a unique sound and style that’s left a lasting impression on listeners all over. He’s played for former President Bill Clinton and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. He’s also been featured in film and television productions, such as HBO’s “Bessie” starring Queen Latifah.
With the release of his debut solo album, "The Entertainer," and his upcoming show at the Rialto Center's Feed Your Senses event, the Columbus, Ohio, native wants to reach even more crowds. "I want people to feel," he said. "Whether it's happiness, sadness or the struggle of some tune, if they feel something, I've done my job."
We talked to Banks about his music.
Q: You were raised by musician parents. Your father is also a jazz pianist, and your mother was a choir director at your hometown church. How did you find your own sound?
A: I'm constantly finding my sound. I change it a lot. Right now, I'm into a lot of swing. I like to try to imitate it and show some respect to some of the greats like Scott Joplin and James P. Johnson. I like the sound and style of it. My apartment is even starting to look like that era. I love it, so I'm focusing on the 1910s and 1920s. But it's always going to sound modern because I live today.
Q: Los Angeles and New York are popular locations for musicians. Why did you choose to move to Atlanta to pursue your career?
A: My dad moved to Atlanta a lot sooner than I did. Around age 21, he told me I could come down here to stay. When he gave me that opportunity, I took it. I love my dad. I'm a fan of my own dad. My friends were even pushing me to go. Everybody thought it would be a good opportunity for me to grow. It wasn't just about music. I needed a new pace in life, and I got it immediately. Atlanta is more home to me almost now than Columbus.
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Q: Talk about your album “The Entertainer.”
A: There are 12 songs, so I put my all into it. You will hear jazz and American classics and some original compositions. You'll hear my personality, because I'm not really playing the songs quite like you've heard before. I kind of put my own twist to it.
Q: In March, you learned you were one of five finalists for the 2019 American Pianists Awards. It’s a prestigious honor. The winner receives a prize valued over $100,000. (The winner will be announced in April 2019.) Describe the moment you heard the news.
A: I was at home preparing for work, and I received an email that told me to call the president of the organization. When he told me I was a finalist, I said, "Yes! That's exactly what I wanted to hear." I was really excited. I was shocked. It was a reassurance that I was going in the right direction.
Q: What have you learned about yourself since becoming a musician?
A: I've learned all about myself. I've learned that I am persistent and that I like a challenge. It's taught me a lot about my personality and character. I'm learning how I am with other people and how other people may perceive me through music. I've realized why I feel so good after playing music. It's because I get a chance to fellowship with people that are like-minded. It's given me social skills. It's given me more reason to be. Life is easier because of music.
CONCERT PREVIEW
Feed Your Senses featuring pianist Kenny Banks Jr.
Noon-1 p.m. Aug. 15. Free. Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University, 80 Forsyth St., Atlanta. 404-413-9849, rialto.gsu.edu.
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