feature photo: Mason Herron
As a classically-trained jazz pianist from Edmonton, Alberta, Joshua Banks is poised to enter the world stage with a personal statement. His debut album Para Sayo comes from a musician with so much to say and the means to express it in many ways: from an economical piano trio to combos backed by string quartets, to spoken word, to singing vocal and even rap.
‘Para Sayo,’ which means “For You” in Tagalog, trumpets Banks’ ambitions from the get-go: the project reconciles his Canadian culture and upbringing with the heritage of his Filipino parents. An immensely talented Asian-Canadian pianist, educator and composer like Peter Hum, Banks is unsatisfied with merely showing off all his formal training, he puts message into his music.
In the video for the fifth track “Agila” debuting above, Banks demonstrates acumen as both a musician and composer. The dexterity and nuanced touch demanded from classical instruction is all there, and it’s effortless. The modern chart itself is rich in complexity while also rich in melodiousness. Connor Miskiman plays out a harmonic counterpoint that snaps into the main melodic theme like hand in glove. Percolating through the changes, Banks wrote in brief softer parts that gives the number some interesting variation.
The trio — with Graeme Newburn on drums — suddenly becomes a quartet when Nick Lange makes his entrance on tenor saxophone just as things heat up toward a crest and a resolution with a softened, satisfying landing.
Para Sayo is due to drop worldwide on May 16, 2025. Pre-order/order the album from Bandcamp.
- Joshua Banks feat. Nick Lange , “Agila” from ‘Para Sayo’ (2025): Video premiere - May 12, 2025
- Young Gun Silver Fox, “Burning Daylight” from ‘Pleasure’: One track mind - May 9, 2025
- Dietrichs – ‘No Bahdu’ (2025) - May 7, 2025
