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Tommy Banks | |
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| Senator for Alberta, Canada | |
| In office April 7, 2000 – December 17, 2011 | |
| Appointed by | Adrienne Clarkson |
| Preceded by | Ron Ghitter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Thomas Benjamin Banks December 17, 1936 Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Died | January 25, 2018 (aged 81) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Residence(s) | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Profession | Pianist, conductor, arranger, composer, television personality and former senator |
The Honourable Thomas (Tommy) Benjamin Banks OC AOE FRCMT(hon) (December 17, 1936 – January 25, 2018) was a Canadian pianist, conductor, composer, television personality and senator. He was married to a musical theatre hobbyist, Ida Heller, the woman who would eventually run Banks Associated Music Ltd., founded by Banks himself.
As a talented musician and performer Tommy Banks has contributed a great deal to the musical and art communities in Canada. As the lead on the Tommy Banks Show for fifteen years, Banks found himself credited as a key player in the Edmonton art scene. He has performed in many avenues of music production and competition from performer, through to conductor, adjudicator and more. He has played key roles in performances for Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family, and even for President Ronald Reagan.
As a public servant, Banks was appointed to the Senate in 2000 where he represented Alberta as a liberal and served to combat issues with illegal drugs and Veteran’s Affairs. Additionally, he contributed to governmental positions on energy, environment and natural resources. As a Senator, Banks advocated for the arts and was instrumental in the Alberta Foundation of the Arts.