LC Contemporary Jazz Orchestra - 'Emboldened Suite' - Steve Banks and Jonathan Silk
Join us in the Venue as the Leeds Conservatoire CJO return with an evening of original music, composed by nationally renowned jazz musician Steve Banks, and directed by Jonathan Silk.
Steve Banks is a UK guitarist, composer and bandleader. Steve released his debut album, Emboldened, in 2023 on Stoney Lane Records to enthusiastic critical acclaim including 5 stars and ‘Album Of The Month’ from BBC Music Magazine and 4 stars from UK Vibe, writing that “Banks brings a fresh voice to the world of jazz. An invigorating listening experience with clearly defined energy and character, there is a delight in its originality”.
Banks has performed at venues across the UK and Europe including Symphony Hall and CBSO Centre in Birmingham, Barbican and King’s Place in London, Manchester Jazz and Cheltenham Jazz Festivals and Jazzahead! In Germany.
A collaboration with arranger Jonathan Silk now presents the ‘Emboldened’ album alongside other compositions of Banks’ for jazz orchestra with choir, with concerts as guest artist and composer including Guildhall School of Music and Drama, University of Birmingham, WYJO and Leeds Conservatoire.
Steve’s captivating style and versatility have kept him much in demand for many successful music projects, most notably playing electric, acoustic, baritone and nylon string guitars on Sara Colman’s albums ‘What We’re Made Of’ and ‘Ink On A Pin’ with credits as composer, co-composer and arranger. Both albums received high international acclaim and toured extensively in the UK.
Steve is also an enthusiastic and experienced educator. Alongside private tuition, he has designed and taught degree courses and workshops for individuals, groups and ensembles across the UK since 2007.
On the Emboldend Suite, Steve says:
“I composed the Emboldened Suite with three movements reflecting the positive journey of people facing challenge and adversity: Fear, Belief and Unity. I wanted to offer an optimistic and reassuring experience for the peaceful majority. A message that we are heard and we do have influence, that everyone across the world shares a common humanity and we are strongest together in adversity. The music was toured across the UK by my quintet and recorded alongside other compositions of mine before eventually releasing as the Emboldened album in May 2023.
Since then, it has been an extraordinary experience for me to collaborate with arranger Jonathan Silk as he has expanded my compositions for quintet into the dynamic, soaring musical landscapes of jazz orchestra, imbued with his unique musical voice. Jonathan balances the skill of extending a composition, adding rich textures and new movements, without losing the initial identity. He possesses an innate ability to know exactly what a composition needs and reveals fresh, exciting, hidden directions I would not have imagined. We have also seized the opportunity of further enhancing the jazz orchestra with choir. This brings an emotional depth and connection with the audience only possible with voices and has culminated in an exhilarating re-imagining of this music.”
Performances
Monday 7th April 2025 - Book HERE
Tickets
£10 full price
£5 concession / student / unwaged
Free for LC Students
How to Book
Please click the above performance links to book tickets online
You can also contact our box office on 0113 222 3434 to book tickets over the phone. Please note our box office opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00AM - 5:00PM.
Accessibility
Leeds Conservatoire operate a step-free site and is flat surfaced throughout all buildings.
