EDMONTON—Tommy Banks, a renowned Edmonton jazz pianist and former senator, has died at the age of 81. His family issued a statement saying Banks died peacefully Thursday surrounded by family and staff at the Grey Nuns palliative care unit in Edmonton. Banks’ long and impressive musical resume, which began with his professional debut in 1950, covered virtually every aspect of Canadian entertainment through the years. He won both a Juno and Gemini award, hosted The Tommy Banks Show from 1968-83 and numerous other TV programs, and performed throughout North America and around the world. The accomplishments listed on Banks’ website include his role as a guest conductor for numerous symphony orchestras, including 12 in Canada, and his musical direction for Olympic and Commonwealth Games and for such dignitaries as Queen Elizabeth and Pope John Paul.

Source: thestar January 26, 2018 18:11 UTC