Biography
Alongside Bernard Allison, Melvin Taylor and several peers, Chicago guitarist, singer and songwriter Chico Banks belongs to a fresh wave of blues artists pushing the limits of a genre frequently dismissed or misread. In common with Allison and Taylor, along with veteran Southern players such as Larry Garner and Sherman Robertson, Banks zeroes in on buoyant, celebratory blues.
Although his approach may leave traditionalists unmoved—he readily weaves in soul, funk and rock textures—Luther Allison, before his passing, observed that any musical style grows stagnant at the cost of its vitality. Banks draws from an eclectic roster of 1960s and 1970s figures, naming “Magic Sam” Maghett, Buddy Guy, Albert King, Jimi Hendrix, Otis Clay, George Benson and Tyrone Davis, while his phrasing also echoes jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal and the funk grooves of Prince, the Isley Brothers, the Ohio Players and Parliament/Funkadelic. His father, Jesse Banks, who performed with the gospel ensemble the Mighty Clouds of Joy, supplied an early foundation as well.
After entering a Top 40 cover band at age fourteen, Banks shared stages with Johnny Christian, Evidence labelmate Melvin Taylor, Buddy Guy, Otis Clay, James Cotton, Artie “Blues Boy” White, Little Milton, Magic Slim, Big Time Sarah, Chick Rogers and, most recently, Mavis Staples. His recording credits further encompass sessions for Willie Kent, Freddie Roulette and Pops Staples.
The 1997 debut Candy Lickin’ Man features the esteemed gospel singer Mavis Staples, who supplied the liner notes. Still in his twenties, Banks already displays seasoned interpretive skill on the covers “Groove Me,” “Got to Be Some Changes Made” and “The Sky Is Crying,” each stamped with his personal touch.
Although his approach may leave traditionalists unmoved—he readily weaves in soul, funk and rock textures—Luther Allison, before his passing, observed that any musical style grows stagnant at the cost of its vitality. Banks draws from an eclectic roster of 1960s and 1970s figures, naming “Magic Sam” Maghett, Buddy Guy, Albert King, Jimi Hendrix, Otis Clay, George Benson and Tyrone Davis, while his phrasing also echoes jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal and the funk grooves of Prince, the Isley Brothers, the Ohio Players and Parliament/Funkadelic. His father, Jesse Banks, who performed with the gospel ensemble the Mighty Clouds of Joy, supplied an early foundation as well.
After entering a Top 40 cover band at age fourteen, Banks shared stages with Johnny Christian, Evidence labelmate Melvin Taylor, Buddy Guy, Otis Clay, James Cotton, Artie “Blues Boy” White, Little Milton, Magic Slim, Big Time Sarah, Chick Rogers and, most recently, Mavis Staples. His recording credits further encompass sessions for Willie Kent, Freddie Roulette and Pops Staples.
The 1997 debut Candy Lickin’ Man features the esteemed gospel singer Mavis Staples, who supplied the liner notes. Still in his twenties, Banks already displays seasoned interpretive skill on the covers “Groove Me,” “Got to Be Some Changes Made” and “The Sky Is Crying,” each stamped with his personal touch.
Albums
