Recognized for his “glowing mahogany tone” (Seen and Heard International) and his “breathtaking” performances (Classical Voice of North Carolina), Steven Banks is establishing himself as an important young artist on the saxophone, which is rarely heard as a solo concert instrument. In 2019, Steven Banks captured first prize at the Young Concert Artists International auditions. This makes him the first saxophonist to earn a place on the Young Concert Artists roster in its sixty-year history. This season, Banks will make his New York debut at Merkin Concert Hall.

Banks has performed as a concerto soloist with the Durham Symphony and the North Carolina Symphony, and he regularly gives recitals at universities and appears on music series across the United States. His appearances this season will include performances with the Oregon Mozart Players, Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, Mary Baldwin University, Buffalo Chamber Music Society, Port Washington Library, and Tannery Pond. In addition to his solo work, Banks has an ongoing relationship with the Cleveland Orchestra, appearing with the ensemble under various conductors, including Alain Altinoglu, Roderick Cox, Jahja Ling, Matthias

Pintscher, and Franz Welser-Most. He appears on a Naxos recording as baritone saxophonist of the award-winning Kenari Quartet. As a jazz performer, he has played alongside musicians affiliated with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Buddy Rich Big Band, and Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Banks is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in music education and performance, as well as newly commissioned works in the classical realm. In 2017, he gave a talk at the TEDxNorthwesternU conference that included ideas about how to change institutionalized prejudices against women and people of color. He has also written and given guest lectures on the history of black classical composers. As assistant professor of saxophone at Ithaca College, in Ithaca, New York, he makes a concerted effort to ensure that all music students feel supported in their everyday studies. Steven Banks appears by arrangement with Young Concert Artists, Inc. YCA.org.

Please click here for program information regarding the Steven Banks Arts Academy performance.

About the Zorá Quartet
Named “the future of chamber music” in a concert review in Oregon Arts Watch, the Zorá Quartet leapt to national attention in 2015 when they won three major awards: the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, the Grand Prize and Gold Medal of the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, and the Coleman Chamber Music Competition in California. The quartet formed at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music under the tutelage of the Pacifica String Quartet. “Zorá” means “sunrise” in Bulgarian. Zora Quartet appears by arrangement with Young Concert Artists, Inc. YCA.org

About Xak Bjerken, accompanist
Pianist Xak Bjerken has appeared with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, the Schoenberg Ensemble, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic in Disney Hall. He is a professor of music at Cornell University, where he co-directs Mayfest, an international chamber music festival, with his wife, pianist Miri Yampolsky.

The performance by Steven Banks is made possible by generous gifts from Country Music Association Foundation; and Sara Savell, in memory of Las Savell.