Martin Banks Pavilion

Martin Banks was an accomplished Austin musician and icon to many. A graduate of Anderson High School, he moved to California in 1953 to study music and launch his musical career. He performed and toured with many great jazz, blues, and R&B artists including Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, James Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, and the Sun Ra Orchestra. Returning to Austin in 1988, Banks played with several local bands including the East Side Kings, the Texas Trumpets, the Creative Opportunity Orchestra and the Jazz Pharaohs before passing in August 2004. Martin Banks is looked upon as an inspiration for neighborhood children and hometown musicians of all ages.