Jazzchamberworks

While building on the achievements of such "elder statesmen" as Hale Smith, George Russell, and T. J. Anderson, Banfield's creative work strikes out in bold new directions. A professor at the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota, Banfield has accrued a long list of accomplishments that place him among the ranks of America's original compositional voices. His work has been widely recognized, having been performed by professional and university orchestras in the United States. His activities have earned distinguished awards, grants, commissions, and residencies. At the same time, he remains involved in jazz, gospel, and popular idioms by maintaining an active performance career as a jazz guitarist and pianist. 

The 11-piece Twin Cities-based BMagic Orchestra has recorded with, and/or enjoyed the guest artist appearances of: Patrice Rushen, Bobby McFerrin, Billy Childs, Don Byron, the Philip Brunelle Ensemble Singers, Sounds of Blackness, Mark Ledford, and Nelson Rangel. It is often heard at the Dakota Bar, the Midwest's premier jazz venue.