CCU's Bankston to perform songs from new CD in upcoming Wheelwright concert
The new CD, Bankston's second solo effort, offers 12 original songs that range in style from jazz to contemporary folk to traditional American roots music. Some of its titles include "Jazz Me Up," the autobiographical "Gospel Shoes," How Old is This Love" and "Poo Yaille!," a song that reflects Bankston's Louisiana roots.
Bankston says that this CD, with its jazz-oriented sound, marks a new direction in his songwriting that departs considerably from his first solo recording effort, the award-winning "Galvez Town." Named one of the 10-best CDs of 2002 by The Sun News (Myrtle Beach), "Galvez Town" was a cycle of personal songs steeped in the culture and atmosphere of Louisiana's rural Cajun country.
Performing with Bankston in the concert will be world-famous bassist Steve Bailey, Coastal's artist-in-residence; virtuoso jazz tenor saxophone player Stephen Riley; jazz guitarist and educator Bob Russell; percussionist and Coastal professor Kurry Seymour; and Steve Kirkman on drums.
Other musicians who perform on the new CD are the legendary slide guitarist Sonny Landreth and Grammy-award winning guitarist/songwriter Sam Broussard, Bankston's longtime musical partner and collaborator.
In addition to his accomplishments in various genres of popular music, Bankston has performed extensively in opera and musical theater, including leading roles in companies such as the Houston Grand Opera, Washington Opera, and New Orleans Opera. Folk, pop and rock music were his first loves, however. Bankston began playing the guitar at age 15 and was singing folk songs professionally by age 17. He joined the Coastal faculty in 1998.
For more information contact the Wheelwright Box Office at 349-2502.