Abha Eli Phoboo

Kathmandu, March 27:

When Jazz legend Louis Banks came to town, obviously there was more than just talk of music from the maestro who traces his roots to Nepal. We catch up with the Banks family

Twenty-five years ago, Louis Banks went to India returning only occasionally. After receiving formal education in Darjeeling, he came to Kathmandu to see what he could be. He played in Soaltee for a while then flew in search of better opportunities to India. Thirteen years later, on this March 24, he touched down in Nepal.

“When we arrived at the airport, Dad was telling me this is your grandfather and great-grandfather’s land. This is your land, where they’ve come from, the reason we are,” shares Gino Banks, the youngest of the Banks children. Andre, Neil and Monique, the older siblings never got into music. Gino now plays drums for Louis Banks and Brotherhood and the proud father states, “He is my pride and joy.”How does it feel to be in Nepal after so many years Mr Banks?

“In one word — great! Definitely,” enthuses Louis Banks, first christened Dambar Bahadur Budaprithi. “So much has happened, so many changes — some for the better, some for the worse. The political instability really worries me. We musicians believe in love and peace.” The interview is punctuated by his sighs and interjections of “Nepal has such potential!”

His father migrated to India in search of better opportunities. There he adopted the name George Banks and named his son Louis after the jazz legend Louis Armstrong. “I stopped coming to Nepal after my parents passed away,” shares Louis. “My workload in India is such that it doesn’t allow me to take time off. I want to see more of Nepal and perform for the people,” he adds.

Only the night before, he had played to an audience and won their hearts completely. “It was a small audience and we got great response. Some of my old friends had come too and it was nice meeting them.”How does it feel to be a Nepali known as the godfather of jazz in India? “Great,” he laughs. “And Jazzmandu is wonderful concept because I can see the growing jazz fraternity. All that I can contribute in my capacity is to teach music.”Louis Banks sought to teach music to his children. He sent Gino for piano lessons when the boy was eight years old. None of the teachers lasted, “It was one teacher per week,” grimaces Gino, now 21 years old. “Dad didn’t teach me because it needs a lot of time and patience and his work didn’t allow it.”After school, he decided it was time to devote himself to music and suddenly, Gino was banging the drums for eight hours each day. “Since then I have had no girlfriend,” he laughs. “No time.”Always fascinated with the sound of beat and rhythm, Gino shares, “There’s a picture of me banging the drums when I was four.”The Banks home thrived on music. With more than 600 CDs lying around and various musical instruments available, young Gino began to keep time for the Brotherhood. At the age of nine, he toured to Australia and China as a side percussionist. “Dad is my mentor, my guide,” he says.

Father Banks has a story to add. There was a time when Gino was bent on becoming an actor and though, Louis wanted his son to be happy with whatever he did, he couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed. “When overnight, he said he wanted to be a musician, I was so happy. It makes me happy that he is following in my footsteps. He will carry the legacy

forward, the flag.”Louis is very connected to his roots and this visit to Nepal seems to have brought back nostalgic memories. “I want to make a family tree and trace our roots. We are the 14th generation but I still have to find more,” he adds. “Then I will paste it on familytree.com.”Louis’ grandfather, Bhagat Bir Budaprithi, composed the music for the Nepali national anthem and Louis had wanted to end the show on March 26 with it. “But it didn’t happen,” he says ruefully. “I had even programmed my keyboard to the music.”To have a father who is an idol to many, with a family history of geniuses have not strained young Gino. “I am proud because I am really lucky that way. I get guidance that is so valuable,” says junior Banks. “It was difficult in the beginning when I began performing and people would say ‘Louis Banks’ son’, even the articles in the papers and magazines. But that’s okay. We are different. I grew up with a strong jazz influence because of him and I think I have a good balance of rock and jazz which will help in my composition skills.” Louis Banks is starting to teach Gino a little piano which the son says will help him compose music later on. With the Brotherhood, the father and son play fusion of “Indian with rock power and jazz improvisations”. Lorraine Banks, Louis’s wife and Gino’s mother, is also here. She is their manager and the Banks family definitely plans to visit again later.