Winner of the prestigious 2022 Avery Fisher Career Grant, and the first saxophonist to ever be awarded this prize, Steven Banks is an ambassador for the classical saxophone, establishing himself as both a compelling and charismatic soloist and composer, dedicated to showcasing the vast capabilities of the instrument, as well as an advocate for expanding its repertoire. Steven Banks is also the first saxophonist to capture First Prize at the Young Concert Artists International Auditions (2019).

Steven has recently appeared with the Oregon Mozart Players, Colorado Music Festival, Colorado Symphony, Utah Symphony, the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra and on subscription with the Cleveland Orchestra, performing under such conductors as John Adams, Peter Oundjian, Earl Lee, Xian Zhang and Rafael Payere. Upcoming orchestral engagements include the Kansas City Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Detroit Symphony, New World Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra. 

 Upcoming and recent recitals include Festival Napa Valley, Usedomer MusikFestival, Clemson University, Spoleto Festival USA, and the San Francisco Symphony’s Spotlight Series at Davies Hall. 

 Steven was also recently chosen to join WQXR’s 2022 Artist Propulsion Lab, a program designed to advance the careers of early and mid-career artists and support the future of classical music.