Since his 1950 professional debut, Tommy Banks has, as the Toronto Star pointed out, “…..done everything a musician could wish for.” MacLean’s Magazine observed that “It would be easier to list the things he doesn’t do.”
He is the recipient of the Juno Award, Gemini Award, Grand Prix du Disques-Canada, several ARIA Awards, and a member of the Edmonton Cultural Hall of Fame.
Musical touring has taken him to the farthest reaches of China, to the Eastern Europe that used to be referred to as “behind the iron curtain”, and to most points in between.
He provided musical direction for the XI Commonwealth Games, EXPO ’86, The World University Games, the XV Olympic Winter Games, and for countless television shows. He has produced and/or conducted command performances for Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family, and for President Ronald Reagan.
He was founding chairman of the Alberta Foundation for the Performing Arts, a member of the Canada Council from 1989-95 and policy consultant to the Council from 1996-98. He was chairman of the Edmonton Concert Hall Foundation from 1989-91. He is the recipient of an honourary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Alberta, of the Sir Frederick Haultain Prize, the Alberta Order of Excellence, and is an Officer of the Order of Canada.
He has conducted symphony orchestras throughout North America and in Europe. His recordings are on Century II Records, distributed by Royalty Records.
He is 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.