Danny Banks is an American studio/touring drummer based in Memphis, TN

Hailing from Boston, MA, Danny has had a passion for music from as early as the age of 4. As he was growing up, Danny’s parents owned and operated a ballroom dance studio. It was there that Danny was immersed in the sounds of Big Band swing, Rhythm n’ Blues, Latin American music…no matter what the genre….his ears were in tune with what was happening. Rhythm was everywhere. Danny later took that rhythmic inspiration, and applied it to his mother’s pots and pans. Danny’s parents quickly saw the potential, and bought Danny his first snare drum. Not long after that, he got his first full drum set.

At age 7, Danny was invited to sit in with a band at a local MA restaurant. Pretty soon, that invite turned into his first regular gig. He continued to perform gigs in and around the greater New England area. 

In 2005, at age 11 Danny had the opportunity to be a special guest on the Late Show with David Letterman. Deemed by Letterman as a child prodigy, he had a two segment interview, followed by a performance with Paul Schaffer and the CBS Orchestra playing the famous Muddy Water’s song “I Got My Mojo Working”.

In 2011, Banks attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. After finishing two semesters, he was approached by blues/soul singer John Nemeth to join his band, where he began touring internationally. 

In 2013, joining John’s band led to Danny moving to the band’s home base of Memphis, TN. During that same year, John released his eighth studio album Memphis Grease backed by a band of legendary Memphis soul musicians, The Bo-Keys. For the album tour, Danny was hired to be the drum tech for his mentor,  legendary drummer Howard Grimes. For six weeks, he worked under Howard, but halfway through the tour his health took a turn. Danny was then asked to perform in Howard’s place for the remainder of the tour. 

In April 2019, while on tour in eastern Europe with Memphis roots-rocker John Paul Keith, Danny was approached by Nicole Atkins about joining her on a summer tour of the midwest in the states. This tour included opening for Lake Street Dive and performing shows with The Avett Brothers. The tour culminated with a performance at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. Since then, Danny has continued working as Nicole’s drummer with tours supporting artists like Spoon, Elvis Costello, Guster, Indigo Girls, Amanda Shires and a handful of shows opening for Stevie Nicks.

When he is home in Memphis, Danny plays and records with many local musicians. His most recent project Salo Pallini - a 4 piece instrumental group came out with their debut album in January 2023 called “The Sirens of Titan: A Preemptive Scoring” which was meant to serve as a musical accompaniment to Kurt Vonnegut’s 1959 novel. Past projects have included Organ Failure - an instrumental organ trio who performs soul/jazz in the style of John Patton, Lou Donaldson, etc. And Spank! - a five piece ensemble that covers the instrumental music of legendary Memphis producer Willie Mitchell.

Danny has had the honor of collaborating with the following artists: Nicole Atkins, John Nemeth, Liz Brasher, Dale Watson, Percy Wiggins, Otis Clay, The Bo-Keys, Charlie Musslewhite, Wendy Moten, Spooner Oldham, Norbert Putnam, Honey Boy Edwards, Leroy Hodges, Charles Hodges, Archie "Hubby" Turner, Ronnie Earl, Duke Robillard, John Paul Keith, Adam Scone, Kelvin Holly, Al Gamble, The Tennessee Mass Choir, John Stevens(American Idol), Doug MacLeod, Anson Funderburgh, Michael Ledbetter, Shemeka Copeland, Reba Russell, Will Sexton, Jason D. Williams, Andrew "Jr. Boy" Jones, Tony Thomas, David Maxwell,  Jerry Phillips, Mark Edgar Stuart, Steve Selvidge, Danny Clinch, Bailey Bigger, Cyrena Wages, Ted Torres, Peedy Chavez, Kirk Fletcher, Art Edmaiston, Sax Gordon, Matt Stubbs(GA-20), Toni Lynn Washington, Shirley Lewis, Monster Mike Welch, Doug James, Reba Russell, Susan Marshall, Mario Monterosso, Spencer Sutherland, Phillip Creamer, Erin Rae and many more. 

Danny Banks proudly endorses C&C Drum Co., Bosphorus Cymbals, Vater Drumsticks, Snareweights, SledgePad, BDM Mic Clips, Cympads, TNR Products, Orthopedic Drum Thrones.