Ace drummer Gino Banks has always been happy performing in Hyderabad, accompanying his father, band mates and other leading musicians over these years. Readying for his fusion act orchestrated by santoor player Tarun Bhattacharya on Independence Day at Ravindra Bharathi, he feels this part of the country has always been culturally rooted and enthusiastic about live performances. “There’s something about the people here that separates them from the rest,” the musician starts off.
He feels ‘Vande Mataram’ as a song, represents the spirit of Independence Day, the best. “Tarun da’s version that we’re to perform next week has an interesting spin to it,” states Gino. As the conversation veers towards his music career, he talks of the various aspects that he got to learn from his father (and eminent keyboard player) Louis Banks in terms of the sound he produces, despite the difference in the instrument. “Staying true to the spirit of the song and being fresh in terms of improvisations is the best I got to learn from him,” he says. And, to date, music is a part of their conversation every time. “He keeps composing music, alone, along with his students and co-musicians for albums and we keep a record of it.”
Does he find the lack of a structure to the genre of fusion music a disadvantage? “A lot of people believe fusing Western and Indian forms is indeed fusion. There is a definite structure to it, but whatever you experiment has to be within that wavelength,” Gino replies. Meanwhile, he feels staying true to the place we come from will definitely boost the independent music scene in the country. “When you go and perform jazz music in another country, it may not be received well. Perceptions change when you try something with Carnatic and Hindustani,” he elaborates .
The biggest lesson he’s learnt from making music a full-time career is being open to opportunities. “I’ve done everything from hosting workshops, teaching, live performances, band stints to films. Wherever there’s scope for you or your instrument, you simply have to make the most of it.”
Gino feels teaching has made him a patient person, and a disciplined musician. “A lot of my old students have become prominent drummers — Jai Rao Kavi, Andrew Kanga and Tahil Shah — when they get back to me and discuss music, I do get a lot of new information.”
