Banks Sapnar

Banks Sapnar is recognized as one of the most vibrant up-and-coming and in-demand talents in the Philadelphia/New York area. His vibrant use of harmony, along with rich, jazz trumpet tradition makes his trumpet playing stand out.

First studying piano, Banks began his musical career at age 5 where Banks’ talent was initially recognized by local piano competitions. Banks was drawn to jazz after receiving a Duke Ellington compilation CD from his mother. He absorbed as much music as he possibly could, and in high school was selected for prestigious programs such as New Jersey’s All State Jazz Band, the NAfME All-Eastern Jazz Band, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Summer Jazz Academy two years in a row, and the NAfME All-National Jazz Band. He was selected to receive a New Jersey Governor’s Award for Arts Education from NJ governor Phil Murphy.

Banks continued to pursue music and committed to Temple University to study with living jazz legend trumpet player, Terell Stafford. In the Temple University Jazz Band under the direction of Stafford, he performed at events such as the Midwest Conference in Chicago, The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Jack Rudin Jazz Championship (of which the band took top honors at the inaugural event) and has performed with artists such as Wycliffe Gordon, Sean Jones, Christian McBride, and Joey DeFrancesco. He holds a Bachelors of Music in Jazz Performance, and a Masters of Music in Jazz Studies.

Banks has received numerous accolades for his work including his Governor’s Award, an Outstanding Trumpet Soloist award presented by Wynton Marsalis, and the Sammy Nestico Composition award presented by the U.S.A.F. Airmen of Note. Banks currently works as a freelance trumpet player, composer, arranger, and copyist, and has performed professionally with legendary groups such as the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and the Jimmy Heath Orchestra. He is currently on faculty at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance.